Page 62 of His Untoward Hate

“Look at yourself, you’re going to eat all these,” he said firmly.

“I’m okay with just the pan—”

“Shut the fuck up. You’re not leaving this table until you finish everything,” Sky cut him off.

Jude tried to protest, but Sky slammed his hands on the table, holding a breakfast knife and fork, leaving Jude no room to argue.

They ate in awkward silence. Jude kept his eyes fixed on his food the entire time until the back of his neck grew stiff and sore. Sky finished first, wiping his mouth with a tissue as he watched Jude slowly take bites. His plate was still far from empty. Jude was a slow eater. Sky only observed him, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair.

The familiar keenness of Sky’s gaze pierced through his soul. Jude’s hands felt heavy as he reached for the food. He suddenly felt aware of every chew, every swallow, every breath, and even every little awkward expression he made.

“We’re going to school in the afternoon,” Sky said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Jude hesitantly looked up at him and blinked twice. He shook his head.

“I won’t go to school today. You can g—”

“Didn’t I tell you not to be absent again?” Sky cut him off, brows furrowing.

“We’re already absent this morning,” Jude muttered.

“Your sarcasm doesn’t work on me. At least go for a half-day.”

“I won’t go, Sky, please…” Jude insisted stubbornly, setting his cutlery down and lowering his gaze to his hands under the table. “I won’t go today. I’m not ready to see Mitch yet. I’m not even ready to go home. I don’t know what I should do.”

Jude’s confession caught Sky off guard. And by those pleading eyes, his weakness, who would not give in?

“Just for today,” Sky said after a pause. “You’re going to school tomorrow whether you like it or not. Do you understand me?”

Jude looked up at Sky in reluctance and in confusion, but Jude still nodded his head slowly.

“Now finish your food.”

It took him nearly half an hour to finish everything on his plate, making sure not to leave a single bite behind, just as Sky had instructed. A flush spread across Jude’s face when he let out an accidental burp.

“S-sorry,” Jude muttered in embarrassment, quickly lowering his head, almost hiding under the table.

Sky struggled to hold back his laughter, silently grateful that he managed to keep it in. Yet, an involuntary smile formed on his lips without him even realizing it.

What the fuck? I don’t fucking smile.

25

Throat felt parched and acidic, stomach uncomfortably bloated, and nausea curled in his gut as though he might throw up at any moment. His head throbbed painfully, like it was about to split open, but strangely, the sensation was not unfamiliar.

Jude squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before slowly forcing his heavy lids open, squinting against the sunlight spilling into the room. He froze when he realized Sky was sitting right in front of him, shirtless. His eyes snapped wide in alarm, his pulse spiking at the sudden realization.

“Time to get up,” Sky said flatly as he stood up, his tone as indifferent as ever.

Jude jolted upright on the bed, blinking rapidly to clear his vision. Sky had already turned away, pulling on his shirt. His tattoo-covered back was fully visible, ink spread across his skin, covering almost every space as he moved.

“Oh,” Jude muttered under his breath when Sky turned to glance at him.

Jude immediately lowered his head, fidgeting as his fingers pinched almost savagely between his folded legs.

The green-painted walls and the old ceiling fan above him, creaking as it spun sluggishly, made it clear this was not his room. The faded white sheets beneath him were wrinkled. The bed was narrow and rough. The unpleasant smell only deepened his unease. Jude looked around, his worry building in his chest. The small space was almost empty—just a bed, a tiny table with a broken lamp, a lone chair, and a dirty old jalousie window to get air through. It took him a little longer to piece together his surroundings and remember what had happened.

Shit…there’s only one bed. Jude thought, panic creeping into his chest.