After Highschool

blanket. As she pushed open the creaky door, the familiar smell of their cramped living room greeted her-a mixture of her mother's cooking, the musky scent of old furniture,

screen. He was sprawled there, his school uniform long discarded in a messy pile on the floor. Unlike Ashley, Alex a

thud, its frayed straps slipping from her sore shoulders. Her eyes scanned the small kitchen, h

licker of curiosity in his eyes. He was always eager to hear about the glimpses of t

en with heavy steps. She prayed silently that her mom had kept her promise to save her a bit o

ed forward, eyes sparkling with intrigue. "Oh, come on

fully small but enough to stave off her hunger. Her shoulders tensed at Alex's words. Of course, news would s

's voice grew sharper. "Were you paid for all that humiliation?" His

r knuckles turning white. "Not yet..." The confession slipped

ouch, his youthful face twisted with anger. "You're telling

reaking slightly as she turned to fa

alization. "You mean that guy who dropped you off last

did you...?" But Alex cut he

the window. That fancy car of his? It's hard to miss." His grin faded into a look of conc

ring herself a glass of water. She couldn't afford to dwell on Alex's words, not when she was so tired. "It's complicated, Alex

his eyes narrowing. "Fred? Di

kitchen counter. "No... he didn't," she admitted, her

" Alex shot back, turning up the TV's volume a cl

She leaned against it for a moment, eyes closed, trying to shut out the world. What am I doing? she wondered, the storm of doubts and insecurities swirl

*

a fortress, its towering walls hiding secrets behind pristine, polished exteriors. Inside, the grand chand

hoing off the marble floors. He felt a strange sense of emptiness, a

itting room. Her voice was warm, but her eyes held the usual undercurr

le. But before he could ask about her day, she d

announced, her eyes lighting

replaced by a rush of excite

grand staircase. George was the golden child the family's pride, the one who had taken

nding by the window, speaking into his phone in a low, urgent tone. The air in the room was

clipped and terse. "Just make sure the shipment isn't d

expression shifting instantly into a bright smile, though his eyes were still shadowed with whate

s unease. "It's been... emotional," he said,

"And what's this I hear about a girl w

irl who had been occupying his thoughts for years. He recounted last night's ev

her today?" George as

ice. "I didn't want to draw more attention to her.

staying silent, Fred. If you really care about her, you need to sho

left George's room, the decision solidified in his mind.

replaying every moment he had shared with Ashley. He couldn'