Karl “Come on, let’s dance.” Shana’s hand slips into mine, her fingers delicate and warm as she pulls me away from Abby. I’m still at a loss for words, both stunned and unbelievably proud of Abby standing up against Emily and her little gang of mean girls. But as soon as it was over, Shana pulle
I raise an eyebrow, surprised by her words. Without meaning to, I stop dancing for a moment. “Why would you say that?” I ask, feeling my heart as it pounds in my chest. Shana, however, doesn’t miss a beat. Instead, she pushes me to keep dancing. Her eyes twinkle with a secret, and she leans in clo
Abby I can’t stay here any longer. Watching Karl and Shana dance together is more than I can bear. The music, the laughter, and the way they move together on the dance floor—it’s like someone just thrust an invisible dagger into my heart. So, I slip away from the crowd, pushing through the sid
Abby With Anton’s words of encouragement still fresh in my mind, I take a deep breath, gather my composure, and push through the door back into the party. The music and chatter rush back over me like a wave, and I feel a sense of deja vu wash over me. It’s as if I never left, as if I never took
Time seems to slow as we approach one another, but neither of us stops. My heart is practically pounding out my chest. We finally meet in the middle of the dance floor, and for a moment, neither of us knows what to say. The music envelops us, and the soft glow of the overhead lights turns purple t
Abby My heart races as I watch Gianna push Karl’s brother, Ethan, into the room in a wheelchair. The shock of her sudden appearance still hasn’t worn off, and I can’t believe she’s here, of all places, especially right now. Karl’s eyes meet mine, and I can see the confusion and surprise mirrored
Abby “Karl! Abby! Over here!” Karl and I exchange glances with each other before we decide to head over to the table where Ethan and Gianna are waiting. Despite Gianna’s presence, Ethan’s smile is a beacon of happiness, and I’m glad to see it. Although Ethan was in his coma for the majority of
It’s no different than the night that Karl threw the party at our old home, and seeing someone treat the food—which my team and I so painstakingly prepared—like it’s not even worth tasting is hurtful. The contrast between her and Ethan is striking, and I can’t help but wonder about her true intentio