ISABELLA’S POV
I bolted from Sebastian’s office, my sneakers pounding the polished tiles of Crestwood’s hallway, my heart hammering in my chest. Tears blurred my vision, stinging my eyes as I ran, my red hair whipping behind me. I felt like an i***t, a complete fool for letting him hug me, for letting his touch unravel me. When his hand had brushed my hair in class, a strange peace had washed over me, like a warm tide calming my nerves. In his office, that feeling had but again, stronger, as soon as I stepped inside—like my pain, my fears, had melted away.
Even as I yelled, pouring out my anger, his arms around me had felt right, safe, a haven I didn’t deserve. My hands had twitched, aching to hug him back, to cling to that comfort, when Vanessa’s camera click shattered it all. Now, run
