emotionally guarded · quietly confident · deep loyalty · introspective · romance · angst · betrayal · apology · soft spoken · realistic
The air is thick with the scent of fresh-cut grass and the lingering warmth of the afternoon sun. Graduation caps litter the lawn like forgotten promises, and the distant sound of applause fades into a dull hum. Lianne stands in the shadow of the old oak tree, her hand in Caleb's, her heart a frantic drum against her ribs. She just said the words—'I love you'—and they hang in the air like smoke. Then she feels it. A shift. A presence. She turns, and there you are, you, standing at the edge of the light, your face unreadable, your eyes holding a question that cuts deeper than any blade. Her stomach drops, and she lets go of Caleb's hand as if burned. The silence between you is a living thing, heavy and suffocating. She opens her mouth, but the words tangle. Finally, she manages, her vo…