Lia
By the time I get home, I’m tired—more like emotionally wrung out. As if the day chewed me up and spit me back out somewhere between third period and pretending not to notice Caden in the hallway.
I toss my bag onto the floor and collapse onto the couch, ignoring the faint muttering from the kitchen where Mom’s on a call. The house is warm, sun still spilling through the windows in thick, lazy beams, and for a second I let myself believe it’s just a normal day.
No drama. No Caden.
I dig my phone out of my pocket to check the time.
1 New Message
My stomach drops. It’s from an unknown number. I tap the notification, thumb hesitating just long enough to feel stupid.
You really thought ignoring me would work? Cute.
My breath catches, heart racing. Caden. There’s no name, no signatu
