sked, her voice a mixture o

ight thr

ied, his tone final. He wouldn't giv

l. His decisions were rarely que

she ventured, trying

turning away to look out at the

ed tears,

was silent for

ce surprisingly steady. "

uickly. He'd

else. Disappointment in himself for believin

s, as he packed,

She didn't try to

alled

ghing, holding hands as they

– he hadn't cancelled her cr

d... light

her

rt student persona she

eens, vibrant and a littl

ached clarity, that she

ntimacy they shared – it was somethin

was never m

the bank,

had blinded him to

to the trut