ANNA'S POV

Our private plane finally touched down, and I stretched in my seat, feeling my limbs shake off the stiffness from the long flight. The early morning sunlight poked through the window and hit my face directly, bright and warm. I blinked at it, a small smile forming — I must’ve fallen asleep somewhere over Nevada or Arizona. We left so early this morning, and everything was a blur while boarding. Now here I was, back in California after five long years.

I got up from my seat, smoothing my hair back as I walked down the aisle. The doors opened, and the stairs unfolded. Stepping onto the tarmac...