Bella

I stepped out of Darrell’s apartment and let the door click shut behind me softly. The hallway air hit colder than I expected, or maybe it was just the sudden emptiness in my chest making everything feel sharper. My eyes were already soaked, tears blurring the edges of the corridor lights. I made it three steps before my legs gave out. I crouched right there against the wall, knees to my chest, biting my bottom lip so hard I tasted blood.

I hadn’t been late because of traffic. I’d been late because of Lara.

An hour and a few minutes ago, she’d finally walked through our hostel door—smiling and...