Tara's 21 st birthday

Illuminated by just the yellow light of the vanity dress of my bedroom, I slipped into a black midi dress. Its soft silky fabric hugging my figure just enough to feel elegant without too much effort. I reached for my earrings, small drops of silver and took a deep breath, trying to center myself. It wasn’t working.

My thoughts kept drifting back to Darius.

This past week, it felt like he was everywhere. We’d bump into each other in the hallways at Silverwood University, catch glimpses across the training grounds, and even cross paths at the café. But each time I wanted to talk to him about Romer, he’d vanish.

Tonight, though, wasn’t the time to dwell on him. Tara’s twenty-first birthday was in full swing, and I was determined to focus on her and not on the confusion brewing in my chest. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I reminded myself firmly “Tonight is about Tara, not Darius. Just Tara.”

I headed downstairs, where Dad was waiting to take me to the party. “You look beautiful,