章 19: CHAPTER 19: Beneath The Mask

　　The silence in the car stretched tight, punctuated only by the rhythmic whoosh of the tires against the asphalt as we headed to our destination. The air crackled with a tension I couldn't place. No, it had started in my apartment and had even followed us into the elevator. Stealing a glance at Alexander, I found him staring out the window, his jaw clenched, and I wondered if I was the only one imagining the sudden awkwardness in the tiny space between us.

　　Unable to bear the suffocating quiet any longer, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "You know, you could use some help with that speech."

　　He blinked, seemingly surprised by my choice of topic. "Excuse me?"

　　"Your speech," I clarified, forcing a lightness to my voice that I didn't quite feel. "For the ball. You could practice it out loud, you know, get some feedback."