and cheap floor cleaner filled my nose. I was sitting at a desk in a noisy clas

no wedding ring, no faint scars from kitchen accident

he was staring a

essy from running his hands through it, his eyes were bright and full of easy confidence, and when he caught m

th and what I had believed was genuine affection, would

my back ramrod straight. I could feel his confused stare on the side of my face, but I r

of the day, I threw my books into my b

Wait

r down my spine. I didn't stop. I walked faster, pu

rm. "Hey, what's the rush? You've be

istant. Looking at him, at his concerned face, was like twisting

ether, remember? At the library." His smile faltered,

Riley, our class president, walking by

fundraiser," I said, pulling my arm free. I quickly walked over to

aid, my voice a

stopped and gave me a small, polite smi

I had some ideas. Can we talk abo

looking a little su

to my back as Noah and I walked away, my forced conversation abou

aning against the lamppost at the entrance to the quiet alley that led to

proached. "Don't lie and say it's about a fundraiser. You've been avoiding

right

le," I said, the words feeling like ash in my mout

ief. "What are you talking about? Yesterday you were wearin

y, "Because in eight years, you'll hate me.

use. "I just... I don't feel the same way

ced by a raw vulnerability that I had rarely seen. "

gaze. "I'm serious, Liam.

looking at his hurt, seventeen-year-old face, all I felt was a gut-wrenching pain. Why was

," he said, his voice cracking slightly. "

He was going to propose. The

intended. "Don't you dare propose to me,

sing with frustration. "I really like you, Ava. I thou

my hand, but I

you forever, Ava. I

mise, were a bitter poison.

am," I said, my voice tremb

flickering streetlight. I didn't stop until I had slammed my front door shut, leaning against it as the tears