Phoebe
It felt as if an invisible remote had paused time. Only Hayden and I could move, staring at each other with bated breath. I can hardly breathe; something about him is so unsettling that it leaves me speechless.
His demeanor had completely shifted in just a few hours. It feels like we’re old friends having a casual conversation, not two people who were at each other's throats not long ago. My mind struggles to stay sharp, yet my heart betrays me by letting him get so close.
I try to keep myself grounded. My heart flutters, drawn to him, yet my mind demands restraint. I need to stay focused—for Phoenix and myself. I have a mission here, and I can’t afford distractions. But Hayden’s unexpected gentleness, the intensity in his gaze, and the unfamiliar warmth in his presence—it all st
