Her Mistakes

rived far t

he grey sky above. The interior was warm, almost too warm, and the scent of leather filled her lungs with

r than the tires rolling beneath her. The hum of the engine was low and steady, but

ehearsed what she would say, trying to lace every sentence with the strength she wanted so desperately to

ows. Familiar streets. Familiar place

involuntary jolt. This place-once the site of laughter, of whispered promises and passionate

t the entrance w

asual. As if this wasn't the most important conversation of their relation

," he said as soon

Didn't even blin

nd glanced at his watc

ong," she said sharp

assed laugh, trying to cut through

and the usual art-lined walls he had always been so proud of. But to Lisa, it no longer felt

ind them. Then, without waiting for him, she walked to the liv

roaching a wild animal. "I blocked he

ut his ph

e it when I want to," she said coldly. "Yo

was low, almost cautious. "I messed up. But Lisa... I didn't do it to hurt yo

cked like a whip. "Do you even real

ed with guilt.

oked at me with this smug little smile and said she recognized my

f shame dragging his shoulders. "I didn't plan

ause I'm pretty sure 'nothing' doesn't get a candlelit din

mouth, then cl

very word laced with betrayal. "While you smiled at her a

n't me

r voice trembled, not with fear,

es your skin itch. A silence filled with un

you," Johnson fi

bli

t. I said I knew you. I wanted to talk about you. I know it sounds

s, but her face carved in stone. "You don't get to w

taking a step closer.

"Love doesn't look like this, Johnson. Love isn't a

rist, fingers trembl

en. But she wasn't sure if it was because he was sorr

f questioning everything. Of wondering if I'm

. "Just a chance, Lisa. Let me show you I

into his arms and hugged him mechanically at first, and then

ight disappear if he loosened his grip.

e, tender where it felt like old times. They didn't talk much about Jane. Lisa didn't want to. Not yet. Johnso

e, reality returned

usual composure. A fresh week. A cha

blending into white noise. She slid into her seat, pulling

her pho

ced at t

my b

bli

ge was fr

se

art sk

dreams. The one who had graduated two years ago, leavi

there. Stolen glances, flirtatious smiles, late-night co

ut of nowh

er the screen. A milli

y

did h

she was se

he c

ed, excitement da

. that old chemis

the message,

my b

e had claimed her like time hadn't

d, her mind s

made a mistake, but he was

ses was somethi

n wrapped i

ne buzz

we t

lip, her stom

't just a

as a

o decide whether