Disarmed (Fence #2)

by Sarah Rees Brennan

He wanted Nicholas to explain himself, but as soon as he spoke, he felt like he’d said too much. He wasn’t like Jesse, who could use conversational feints. Whenever Seiji spoke, he left himself open for attack. Showing he cared was like begging to be disarmed.

I hate it when it seems as though there’s a secret reason people act the way they do.”