loud, too joyful. It's like they d

it beautiful-something you'd stop to admire. Ariel just feels the opposite. She stands there, this strange

ty pit that's settled inside her. Each crack of light r

about her. Or, really, the

ough the air now. It winds between the firework blasts, a thin melody calling

. The lights seem sharper, more honest. You see right through people, the way they loos

n-just that feeling that she's walking a pat

ike it ties her to the ground after everything else fell apart. Since th

swelling; voice

sees th

a private terrace just around the corner from the building she was

k perfect-champagne in hand, smiles flashing, laughter rolling w

iddle of eve

chable, even. Nothing out of place, nothing showing that an

per, richer, as if she's adapting to the mood. Jewels flash at her thro

e faked-the way his hand hovers at her back, how her head tilts in to listen

That's what Arie

he steps further, they'll see her. But she doesn't move. Sh

hering, easy to spot. The words

Begi

Like something's been ditched. Beginning. Like whatever comes ne

d. They feel directed at her. Maybe not for h

rowd around Jayson and the woman. Their faces are bright, their g

racticed. "Congratulations!" he cal

new beginnings," someone chimes in.

almly soaking it in

s. She leans toward Jayson, shoulder brushing his,

speaks-softer, sha

y getting

ts. Not long, just enough for people to notice. Then, laughter. It bubbles up

ly, unmistakably. There's no surprise left, not from words like these. She let those

cture. The truth is obvious: she was never more than a problem.

nt answers. She isn't searching for unde

gue, doesn't step in, doesn't do anything at al

all she

p exploding overhead-wild bursts lighting up the party, turning glasses and diamonds and perfect hair into something

one. The screen flashes on. She doesn't expect anything. She's learned to

hing-the music, the laughter, the fireworks. For a m

ooks

ong. Someone untouched by all of this-unconn

eath c

ID: Her

nd, insistent, like the past refu

erses-the one behind her, loud and glittering and so ready to er

in. The laughter swells. The musi