ollapsed. I didn't make it past the hallway. I dropped my sui

roke into sobs. My body shook. My fingers clutched her shirt li

rushing her hand through my ha

harder. Nana rocked me gently l

Did something happen at school?" I pulled ba

in my throat. If I opened my mouth, I'd sc

s okay. You don't have to talk right

the living room. The familiar scent of fresh coo

, hugging a throw pillow

ose. But somehow, I let him in. He wasn't my type, not even

flag on fire - but still, I f

make tea?" Nan

e barely a whisper. "

t over me. "I'll be in the k

ing - Noah's smirk, his laugh, his lips on my forehead, Raven's reassuring v

All

up my phone - texts, calls, voice notes.

first. Then curiosity got t

u? I'm so worried. I'm going to ask Noa

The damage

ssaged

ow where you went. He thinks Ava might have said something to you... Mia, please, if sh

ease. If she cared, she would've

be his date. She wouldn't have sto

reaching out through Na

g, but I stayed locked in my r

rrassed. Crying ove

one night, sat on

out a boy?"

oked

narrowed his eyes. But t

Raven behi

," my mom said. "We thought

't even know where she is

. she's

ddenly. Wouldn't t

or a moment. Then

e explained. "No goodbye. Nothing. I thought she'd gone to a friend'

the fin

t, my mom enter

pen at that party?

up with t

ust miss

I was running from shame,

t all und

one, paid instantly, and kept it a secret. When I returned to school, I didn't go back to

she rushed up, breathless. "Mia! You're

en froze. Her hands trembled. "Mia, please! D

that way. Day after day. Silent pa

like she didn't exist. She tried to talk. I ignored her. She waited af

e gave up. And

e, every presentation, every project. I aced ever

e halls, but I didn'

stood tall, smiled for the cam

biggest film and television production company in Times Square. Produc

had no time to think about lo

ite. But none of them reminded me of my father. A

, played mind games, or acted like

aybe twice. Yet nothing stuck. They weren't li

alancing my phone and coffee, after a stressful orientation for my Master'

es hidden behind dark shades. My phone buzz

identally bump

n clutched her bel

ed up - and my