"What are you two-doing?"
Xio's voice was filled with incredulous shock. She stood frozen in the doorway, staring at the two people in the living room.
What were we doing-
Lorne looked at Xio, who stood in the doorway with a hand over her mouth, utterly stunned. Then he turned to survey the wreckage around him-books scattered across the floor, an overturned coffee table, and Fors, who was sobbing pitifully in his arms.
This scene-did look a little wrong-
A man and a woman, alone in a room in the dead of night- Seeing the disbelief written all over Xio's face, Lorne inexplicably felt a chill down his spine.
How had things turned into this kind of drama?
"Sniff-"
Fors was still sobbing quietly in his arms, completely unaware that someone else had appeared at the door.
Should I-push her away first?
Lorne's hands hovered in midair, with nowhere to go. Lowering them would look like an embrace, while raising them would seem conspicuous.
For a moment, he was at a complete loss.
Uh-
After some consideration, he drew his hands back and pinched his own cheek hard.
Ow-that hurt.
Good, this wasn't a dream. And my face really had changed. I was James Scott now.
Why was this happening? Hazel's parents had only just gotten the wrong idea about Scott, and now here was another one! Was this identity's reputation beyond saving?
Wait, I hadn't done anything wrong. Why should I feel guilty? Scott didn't owe them anything.
"Ahem-" Lorne cleared his throat, trying to break the awkward silence. "Miss Fors, shouldn't you-get up first?"
"Xio-was back-"
Fors stopped sobbing in Lorne's arms. She lifted her head slightly and met James Scott's rather helpless gaze.
Miss Fors? That was what you were calling me?
She bit her moist lip,