Ronan doesn't try to call Gansey back- he just watches with a sullen gaze as the other boy's retreating form storms up the stairs. It's a long time before he moves, before he speaks even, after Gansey's angry footsteps have faded and the walls have quieted again with the sound of the night.

Adam is behind him, but he doesn't look back. His hands are tight into fists and, with a concentrated movement, he slowly unclenches them. He can hear Adam's breathing. He pretends that he can hear Gansey's too, and imagines how it's probably happening upstairs- a tight exhale through his teeth, a soft breath in, a heavy sigh. Anything is better than nothing. This was going to happen sooner or later.

"We should have told him."