Yesterday had been perfect. That was the thought that had run through Madeline’s head most of the day. As time wore on, though, dread began to pool in her stomach, each time she thought about the wonderful dinner Dexter had made them, including the adorable little pizzas for the twins. What if this had been their last Valentine’s Day together? Or what if next year, he was her slave and she and Sam hadn’t been fast enough to prevent them from doing real damage to Dexter before she got him back? The what ifs swirled in her mind, and she barely made it through all of her classes. Panic rose in her when her suite was empty when she’d gotten back after her final class of the day, but then she’d noticed the note from Dexter, saying he’d taken the twins for a walk.
Good, she thought to herself. She’d have a little bit of time alone to pull herself back together. She set her school bag down next to the couch, went into her bedroom to dig her pack of cigarettes and an ash tray out of the back of her closet, and made her way out to her balcony. She stood against one wall, knowing she’d be hidden from view from anyone on the ground who wasn’t actively looking for her, and the floor-length curtain would block her from Dexter’s view if he got home before she realized it. With shaky fingers, she pulled a stick out of the pack, lit it, and pulled in a lungful of gloriously calming smoke. She laughed at herself a little as she blew the smoke out into the cold winter air. The smoke tasted disgusting, but she couldn’t argue with its calming effect. As soon as she finished her first one, she pulled out a second, taking advantage of the quiet and the nicotine to stop her thoughts from spiraling further. They were good together. They were strong together. They’d prove to the headmaster that they were exactly what a successful claim looked like, and that was that. @dexterxwells