I held my breath.
Waited.
Hoped.
But he didn’t.
I backed away from the window before I could see anything else that might hurt.
The beads he’d left me—my favourite colours, purples and pinks—sat on my desk like some kind of cruel joke. I picked up the plastic container, fingers shaking.
For a second, I almost threw it out the window.
I wanted to.
I wanted to stop caring.
But my hands went slack and the beads slipped from my grip, hitting the floor with a soft clatter.
I curled up on my bed, tucking my knees to my chest, and I lay there.
Waiting.
For my sister to come home.
For something—anything—to change.
For my heart to stop hurting.
But nothing did.
He never told you he loved you.
The thought landed like a knife.
It was true.
He never had.
I just wished… he would.
Chapter 14
Kieran
I couldn’t get her out of my mind.
I’d been watching her so much, Dev thought I was losing it.
During afternoon exercise the next day, I saw her standing with Jess.
And Ash — of course Ash — hovered beside her, bouncing on the balls of his feet like a damn golden retriever in human form.
I didn’t even think he was supposed to be in this class.
Didn’t matter.
He stayed glued to her side anyway.
