dollars. It throbbed behind her eyes every time she shut them, like a price tag stuck to her life. By morning, Brighton was pale again, slick with rain. The city always looked half do

ed. "Still. Thank you." He studied her for a moment. "Are you always out that late?" She paused. "I work part-time. Several jobs. I have to." "Why?" "Because I'm not well provided for," she said, forcing a smile. He didn't laugh. "Neither are there many students here. But you look exhausted." She blinked. "I'm managing." He leaned back slowly and crossed his arms, watching her. You missed last week's tutorial." "I know. I'm sorry. One of my shifts got changed." "You're too intelligent to let work sabotage your grades. Are you behind on assignments?" "No," she said quickly. "I always turn things in." "You do," he agreed. "And well-written, too. Which means you're either very good at pretending or you're just stubborn enough to carry too much without complaint." Juliana froze. She didn't know have an answer that. He stood slowly, picking up his coat. "If something is going on, Miss Alejandro, the university has emergency aid programs. Or counselling. You don't need to burn yourself out alone." She looked down. I have a son with cancer, she wanted to say. I need fifteen thousand dollars. I need time. I need money. I need a miracle. But none of that came out But she couldn't say that. She wasn't ready. Not now. "I need to get something off my chest, she said softly, "But I... I am finding it difficult to express it. Not to you. Not to anyone." His face relaxed. "If it's not a matter of exigency, I will stay out of it." She giggled, bitter and a little breathless. He tilted his head. "Is it?" Juliana met his eyes. Her voice came out like a whisper. "It's close." The silence that followed was long and sharp. The space between them felt tight, like something stretched to its limit. Finally, he said, "You're a smart student. That's rare. I'd hate to see it wasted." Juliana wanted to cry. Not because of what he said but because it had been so long since anyone looked at her and saw anything other than a burden. "I won't waste it," she said. He nodded. "Good." She turned to leave. At the door, she hesitated. "There is one thing," she said without turning back. "If I told you something personal... would you prom