Off Limits

Everything looked exactly like the brochures-neatly trimmed lawns, pristine sidewalks, and smiling neigh

thoughts, her tone overly cheerful. "A new town, a new s

oll past. *Lucky.* That wasn't the word I'd use. Uprooted

tight smile she'd worn ever since marrying Richard Burn six weeks ago. "But P

ck glance and a clipped "hey" before disappearing into the crowd. From what I gathered in whispered conversations and curio

ntly, my ne

t looked like something straight out of a magazine-towering windows, polished landscaping, and a front porch big

ftly, placing a hand on my shou

s. I grabbed my suitcase from the trunk, the wheels bum

ned by my worst fears

and black athletic shorts, earbuds dangling around his neck. His dark hair was tousled like he'd just rolled out of bed-or may

flatly, stepping

r oblivious to it entirely. "Patrick, sweetheart, t

n back to me. I tried to meet his gaze, tried to

my voice thinne

choed, eyes

the hallway, leaving me standing there, suitcase

hardwood floors, an open staircase that looked like it belonged in a mansion. A crystal cha

etly, dragging my suitcase

tement. "Richard's done well for hims

. But it didn't

disappeared upstairs, not sparing me a second gl

d, following my gaze. "It's

red, not buying

were meeting for the first time. He launched into a tour of the house-showing us the s

ked straight out of a catalog. Crisp white walls, a queen-sized bed with fluffy p

. it was

ed, forcing a

ing my shoulder awkwardly before excusing

the soft comforter as I stared up at the ceiling, my mind racing. This was my life now-a new h

on the desk. I was halfway through when a knock sounded on my door. Before I could answ

our room's right across from mine," he

skipped.

with something I couldn't quite name. He ran a han

ate. "Let's just keep out of each other's way, ye

htened. "Sure

e, then pushed off the doorframe and disappeared do

for reasons I didn't fully understan

-

deal, Mom smiled like everything was perfect, and Patrick... Patrick b

pkin. "You'll be starting at Rosewood High on Monday, righ

ate. He looked up, his eyes locking wit

said flat

but inside, my n

-

quiet street below. The moon hung low, casting a silver glow over eve

my door m

?" I

unreadable. He leaned against the

" he said quietly. "About kee

ering beneath my frustration.

just a fraction. "

els pe

thick and heavy. Finally, he let ou

ght, Ch

ig

my tangled thoughts and a feeling deep in

-

k of the house, every distant car passing by outside kept me wired and restless. Moving was always hard- but this? T

lipping quietly down the stairs. The house was silent, dark except for the faint light sp

k was

the fridge. His muscles flexed as he moved, a quiet strength in every motion. I froze,

something unreadable fl

r?" he asked, his voi

arms around myself. "Yeah. Ne

ter. For a second, neither of us spoke. The silence bet

enly, rubbing the back of

ised by his hone

. "I'm used to it being just me and

derstanding creepin

light, his expression was softer than before, his usual guarde

ou, you know,"

nsion in my chest easing just

k flash before he looked down again, trac

iguring it out

said, my voice bare

tance, wrapped in the quiet of the night. For the firs

his water, and straightened. "You should get some sleep. Big

ed. "Se

come to t

ips twitched with the ghos

rway, glancing back at

t, Pa

e, his footsteps fa

the empty space he'd left behind, my heart t

t going to be so

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