More than a week before the field trip, I found myself weighed down by thoughts that swirled in my mind like leaves caught in a restless wind.
Zion’s POV
As much as I wanted to dive headfirst into whatever might blossom between Rachel and me, there was an unavoidable priority that loomed over me: the intricate situation involving Angel. It felt vital that I protect Rachel's feelings; I never wanted her to be cast in a negative light, particularly as the girl who upends someone else's relationship. The last thing I needed was for rumors to swirl in the chaos of our lives, painting her as the villain in a tangled narrative where she simply didn’t belong. Before I even considered pursuing a deeper connection with Rachel, the conversations and misunderstandings with Angel had to be addressed
