Scarlet
I froze.
Not because I wanted to.
But because I had to.
His voice wasn’t sharp or cocky or cruel. It was low. Almost broken.
Like it hurt him to say that one word.
I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t look at him.
My spine was stiff, my breathing shallow.
But I waited.
The world had gone pin-drop silent again.
Behind me, I could feel the weight of his eyes, like they were trying to burn a path through the back of my skull. Like maybe if he stared hard enough, I’d turn around.
But I didn’t.
I was afraid.
Afraid of what I’d see.
Afraid of what he would say.
Afraid of how my heart would answer before my mind had the chance to build its walls back up.
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug crescents into my palms.
The silence between us wasn’t empty. It was full.
Ful
