The rest of the day passed in a haze. Every class felt like a blur, every conversation meaningless. My mind was still wrapped up in the conversation with Adrian, his words echoing over and over. I couldn’t escape them. The choice, the bond, the pull—it was all too much. How was I supposed to decide something so monumental? How could I choose when I didn’t even know what I was choosing?
By the time the final bell rang, I was drained, emotionally and physically. The hallway was crowded, students spilling out of classrooms, talking and laughing, but I couldn’t focus on any of it. The only thing that consumed my thoughts was Adrian and the decision I had to make.
I walked quickly to my locker, hoping to avoid Harper. I knew she’d want to talk, to ask about what was going on, and I didn’t kno
