rhythmic urgency. She had made it through her morning classes without much incident, but the weigh

ed by the fact that Asher seemed to know more about

seemed distant to Ivy, as though the noise was coming from underwater. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on Noah at

wouldn't be the same. It had never been the same since the accident. She ha

y feel the familiar pull. Noah, with his untouchable smile,

d her from the corner of the room. She could feel their eyes on her, like needles

the crowded room with an effortless air of confidence. His eyes immediately found hers, and he didn't look away a

as he moved through the line, she

m for on

kip a beat. She didn't need

between them was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. Ivy opened her mouth to speak but then hesitated. S

break the silence. "I

edge of the table. She wasn't sure if it

asked quietly, keep

plate, his gaze focused on anything but her. "I don't know. But i

motions in check. She wanted to scream at him, to demand why he hadn't come forward sooner, why h

it?" she asked, her voic

ot for sure. But it wouldn't surprise me if it was so

t want to relive that night. She had tried so hard to forg

ting the conversation short. Ivy gathered her things and stood u

he asked, hi

r tongue. She didn't know if she was okay.

mind a mess of questions. Who had sent the text? Who was b

oughts. She fished it out, her eyes widening when she s

de the truth

e wasn't just being watch

be the first to expose the sec

lt disconnected, like she was moving through a world that no longer belonged to

rang, Ivy couldn't take it

nd why he was acting so distant. She had to know if he wa

d into the parking

ack to her, his posture tense. As s

oa

irst. His hands were clenc

ely a whisper. "I didn't want th

't want me to know? Or you did

ed to face her, his eyes shadowed

u need to be careful. Not everyo

alked away, leaving her standing in the cold evenin

. And Ivy had just t