I stood among my classmates, a facade of confidence masking the turmoil inside me. Every laugh, every jest felt like knives to my heart as I watched Kennan approach. My breath hitched in my throat, a mixture of disbelief and hurt flooding my senses. How could he just waltz in here after everything that happened? After how he treated me?
His expression was earnest, eyes wide with what I could only assume was regret, but I couldn’t let that sway me. Not after the way he’d pushed me away, ignoring my feelings and leaving me in confusion. I felt my heart race as he called out to me, desperation lacing his voice. It was infuriating how easily I could still be affected by him, how seeing him now sent my emotions into a frenzy.
“Wayne,” he said again, this time with a trembling edge. The sound
