Dahlia approaches me

While I was eating, I spotted Dahlia in the distance. She was alone and seemed to be looking for something. As soon as my eyes landed on her, she turned and saw me, approaching me.

What does she want?

I was trying to analyse her body language. She appeared smiling and confident but I could see some cracks in that facade, she was hiding something.

"Hi, how are you?" She casually asked as she sat next to me.

I didn't believe she was aware that I was currently Sarah, but I pretended to be her. "I'm good. Just relaxing after my morning classes. It's a nice place to eat, a bit away from the center of the campus."

It was indeed one of Sarah's favourite spots, she loved eating there, surrounded by all the flowers and trees. Especially during spring with the birds singing and flying around.

"I agree, it's a nice spot."

"Did you want to talk about something?" I asked as I finished my lunch.

"Well, I... I wanted to learn more about Ed. And since the two of you used to date, I thought I could speak with you."

She acted shyly but I could immediately tell that it was just an act. Although I also felt like she wasn't exactly lying in wanting to learn more about me.

I stood up and smiled. "Sure, we can talk, I still have some time to kill before my next class. We can go to my office."

I wanted to see how she would act in private, far from prying eyes. We would also be able to converse properly should I decide to reveal my identity.

She smiled back at me. "Thank you."

She was very pretty when she smiled, I had to admit. I led her to my office, always keeping an eye open.

On the way, we chatted some more. "What do you study, Dahlia?"

I already knew the answer but Sarah didn't.

"I'm in Economics. I want to help my father and be ready in case I have to inherit his company. He's always been doing his best to raise me properly, I want to repay him."

"It's an honorable goal." I reply.

"Hmm, and this way, my brother can focus on his own goals without pressure." She said with a smile. "He wants to study Japanese and be an English teacher abroad. He's always been fascinated by Japan and wants to live and work there."

"Let me guess, is he into anime?" I asked in a teasing tone, making her giggle.

"Indeed. Maybe a bit too much to my parents' dismay, but he's a serious boy. I know he can do it."

She seemed truthful during our exchange. She did truly seem to like her family. Or her skin's family, at least. It was strange to see her this way considering how teasing she was with me.

As I opened the door to my office and stepped inside, I heard Dahlia close it behind her and lock it. It was almost imperceptible but I heard a noise I was recently getting used to and instinctively side-stepped, seeing Dahlia's hand, spines erect, barely missing me.

That was her plan, huh?

I grabbed her hand and put her in an armlock, immobilising her and making her gasp in pain.

"What are you trying to do with that?" I asked, glaring at her.

She was trying to break free, and had more strength than I imagined. It wasn't easy to keep her in place.

"It wasn't enough to stab me with those once? You wanted to do it a second time?"

At that, she froze, her eyes widening as she stared at me.

I let free of my own spines. "Surprised?"

"E-Ed?"

"Indeed. Now, may I know why you tried to skin Sarah? And don't lie to me, I'd know."

I let go of her arm, her holding it for a moment. I might have applied more strength than necessary. It seemed to hurt, but Dahlia was still focusing on me.

"I-I was just worried..."

"Worried?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I... tried to contact you last night, and this morning. I sent you multiple texts and even tried to call you a few times... But you weren't answering any of them... I knew that Sarah was your ex, and thought that I could check on you through her, to make sure you were alright..."

I realised that I had forgotten my own phone at Sarah's place. Last night I obviously was not in a good state to answer it, and the battery probably died during the night.

She clenched her arm and looked down. "I... I wasn't myself yesterday, I lost control... I know that I was far too harsh with you... Especially knowing what you're going through... I'm sorry..."

I felt some sympathy for her, she was truly regretting it. "It's okay, your slap helped me stop spiraling, at least. And sorry about your arm."

Dahlia shook her head. "I... I deserve it..." After some time to regain her composure, she looked back at me curiously. "I-I never expected you to wear her, though... Even you couldn't resist the temptation..."

"What do you mean?"

"The temptation of becoming the person you love... I am certain that so many skinwalkers started this way..."

I sighed. "I drank too much last night when I was hanging out with her, and blacked out. When I regained consciousness, she was skinned."

"And you couldn't resist trying to be her." Dahlia continued, her tone neutral.

"Only for a day. I will restore her afterwards."

She gave a teasing smile, but I could see some sadness in her eyes. "Will you? You might say that now, but you don't know yet how hard it is to let go of the life of the person you love. Becoming one with them is so intoxicating, it makes it so painful to give it up."

"I am enjoying being Sarah, that's true, but I love her too much to steal her life." I looked away. "Not to mention Claire... I can't leave her alone... She needs me still..."

"Good. If your love for Sarah is truly pure, then letting her live her own life is the right choice. It's not like we're lacking in term of who we can wear anyway."

It seemed to be a very personal topic for Dahlia, but before I could dig deeper, we heard a knock on the door.