“Madison,” he said slowly.

“Mmh,” I mulled that over, “What’s she like?”

The teacher threatened Shane irritably, for ruining yet another desk with safety scissor carvings.

“She’s one of those people who thinks she’s the nicest person ever but-”

“Until they leave the room,” I mutttered darkly and grabbed a Sharpie.

“-really is a bitch, because everyone’s a bitch. It’s all only skin deep.”

“And the ‘l’ word?” I asked, “was that only skin deep?”

“No,” he said.

My silence left him reaching for something safe to compromise upon.

“Well, how ‘bout… muscle deep?”

I gave a bitter laugh and replied teasingly, “You’re supposed to mean it all the way to your heart—past the muscle and bone, right to the core.”

“I did?” He sighed. “I don’t have a heart.”

I rolled my eyes and flicked a marker cap at him, “Shuttup.”

I rest my chin in the cup of my hand, looking at him, really looking at him this time; trying to see in him, see if I could find a heart in two human eyes.