r, almost forgotten, with dusty furniture and a faint musty smell. The walls

thing move near her feet. She looked do

stepped back, the movement causin

e heard a sharp

Ryan was standing. His broad shoulders were tense, his

oftly, her voice b

most vulnerable. The sudden movement caused hi

ttering on the floor e

k to her. His face was a mix of emotions-anger,

aid, his voice

pounding as she tried to proce

eyes bore into her. She had to get out of t

hattered picture frame on the floor. "I didn't

rby table and bolted toward the door, her steps unsteady but swift. Sh

together as her pulse pounded in her ears. Once inside her room, she yanked her backpack off the desk, slung it over her s

walking briskly to her car. Her fingers fumbled as she unlocked i

to herself as she started the eng

nds were mostly empty this early, and the quiet gave her a moment to collect herself. She found a s

was imp

ding that picture frame so tightly, played on a loo

his past? A lost l

s. It wasn't her business. She had no right to pry into hi

she muttered to herself, tapping h

students making their way inside. She found a seat near the middl

lecturer, arrived and began the session

ia's min

the mystery surrounding that picture. She doodled absentmindedly in

"Amelia," and added clearly, "yo

silence of the room, it carried

hrough the class, and Amelia f

Shawn said, lookin

eyes in the room turned her way. "I-uh-" she s

he ass?" Mrs. Shawn asked, raisin

ckly, waving her hands in panic.

ghter, and Amelia wante

nose. "Let's keep the self-commentary to a min

y," Amelia mumbled, sink

ouldn't focus. Her mind replayed the embarrassing moment o

ke a fool of myself twice in

ast look productive. But the weight of her curiosity about Ryan

despite her best efforts to co

ia out of her thoughts. She quickly gathered her things, eager to escape before anyone de

ff the lingering humiliation. She adjusted the strap of her bag and headed tow

idn't mak

familiar voi

s wrapped around her shoulders