Crazy for Love

etely unnoticed by the pair. Standing there wa

h other, close enough

his fists clenched

toward him, soft and private, filled with

strangely

thought cro

pted something he

motional, his calm state faded, c

en she froze. Not out

or was now standing there,

n did you

tanding there was a calm-looking young man who seem

ed toward him. The anger in his jaw disap

for you inside,

ked. "Oh.

e back of his neck awkwardly. "I couldn't find you

d his forehead in

sing me by chance?" she teased. "I

then slipped her arms around his

oward Francis, who was sti

forget. Aren't y

ine glass lazily with a relax

'll follow later," smil

ong toward the door, as Francis calmly w

ack, a frightening look displayed on his fac

e, no on

cis didn'

-

trongly as they entered. Loud chee

led. "Where did you

cony, the thinner her smile became

nly shown disdain toward her, but now they wer

alousy. Some were pained by her beauty, while others were just upset

ed dramatically

want you to faint like you did during that national debate competition." She smiled

've always been very hardworking. Maybe not the most naturally

ised with a smile a

e of fear gripped her tightly as the heav

on, as though they just wanted

ly grabbed hers from beh

d, calming her restless heart and finally giving her the confide

sual weakened self. She felt co

se face was lit with a smile th

she i

sm

sent of the tension she felt earlier. "After high school, I w

murmurs floated

e top universities i

s harder to get accepted into X Un

om... some impressed, some jeal

I ended up getting interested in market behavior, trend lines, and market flow..

understood, while many l

ychology when buying and selling goods," she

ance projects here and there just to scrape by. But over time, I start

a small firm that deals with connecting b

pplause

hat's a

s impr

ew you were

elief-as though it was a fabricated story-along with quiet com

than them was something to fear, as she could vis

nique as expected." That was the tho

odestly, lowering

nor the scale of her application, which was alr

ts, nor the company value, which was already

ople than anyone in that room likely imagined

freedom, letting them ima

rama and unwanted kindness hid

mile on her face. She clapped slowly as the re

's honestly

rying across the room-a tone that was s

fter starting from nothing.

dded po

ly seeing Stephani

hough amused by something from the past.

ed incredibly ha

ple chuck

she continued. "I remember sometimes you'd come to class

it wasn't the same. Her chest tightened fai

hed lightly, t

on. I don't think anyone else in our class

ly continued, "Although... you d

ghter echoed th

hands as though dis

that in a bad way. High school was rather brutal, especia

ftened symp

arents to COVID... that

er voice was perfect, almost too perfect. He

But I'm really glad things w

yes g

o cry in the school bathroom every day..." she paused just enou

voice soft

really i

shallow. Her heart raced as the room

htly in embarrassment

one who never paid attention

was quiet, "I just ne

door, her head fuzzy a

path as her shoulder hit a t

uid soaked into her sleeve, but

ast walking to running. Tea

suddenly slid back violently. The

in the eyes. The easy smile he'd worn earlier was go

hanged." His voice was l

by his sudden tone, her breath slowed un

ntinued, "you really have a talent for sayi

ted, and the

let out a

only joking. Noth

s firm, powerful enough to wi

e door Anna had disappeared t

least say it plainly next time. May

stepped closer. "I think yo

help but resurface past wounds..." His voic

illed with pain

tiffened. Her fists clen

w what's

ered hi

to you... you still need to pick at som

ture cracking. Her hands trembled

ing for her response. Then he glanced once mor

nt to talk about

ief

one you're pr

the door open and hu

he weight of everyone's st

on

one, and tears