Harper stepped out of her father's office with a tight smile plastered on her face, the kind of smile that only existed to mask the sting in her chest. She pressed her lips together until they almost hurt
The words still echoed: Trouble . Disappointed. You make things worse.
She hugged the envelope against her chest, exhaling shakily as she descended the stairs. Her father's disappointment wasn't new — it was practically stitched into their conversations — but this time, it cut deeper because it was true.
Her hand brushed against her mouth without thinking. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and before she could stop herself, she whispered under her breath, "Why did I even kiss him back…?" The memory flared so vividly it burned. His lips, the way the world had blurred, how she'd forgotten to care who was watching. A frustrated groan slipped out, and she shook her head. "Stupid. So, so stupid."
Her steps quickened as if she could outrun the memory. But then — thud.
