That’s when they saw him. Sarawat. He sat alone at the edge of the courtyard, earbuds in, a black guitar case leaning against his chair like a silent bodyguard. He was rumored to be cold, unapproachable, and devastatingly handsome. He was also the one person Green seemed to fear. Rumor had it Green had once tried to give Sarawat a rose, and Sarawat had simply looked at it, then at Green, and walked away.

The Guitar, the Invitation, and the Unlikely Cure

“Yes. Exactly. It’s just acting.”

Tine exhaled a laugh of pure relief. “Oh my god. It worked. He’s gone.”

Green’s face went pale. He bowed stiffly, whispered “Sorry for the inconvenience,” and practically sprinted toward the library.