Chapter 60

Patricia

"Have you ever been so scared of the world that the only way to survive is to roar and pretend you're a tiger when, in reality, you're a fraud, a kitten hiding behind a wall?"

Dior takes my hand as we stare up at the ceiling. His head is propped up on his palm, and I'm curled to his side. The morning light is dancing in through a crack in the blinds, and part of me doesn't want to get up and save the world. Not when I'm this bubbly and excited about what the future might hold in store for us.

"You're not high, are you?"

I playfully slap his chest. "Hey!"

He chuckles. "Come on! It's too early for poetry, even for you! Like goddamn, what time is it? Eight in the morning, and you're already turning into the female version of Shakespeare?"

I'm cracking up but trying hard not to, and while I try to sound strict, my voice comes out all giggly instead. "Shu