THE STORY TURNS
The rumors don’t calm down. They sharpen. By the next morning, people aren’t asking questions anymore — they’re drawing conclusions. And conclusions move faster when no one corrects them. Bella texts me before I even sit up. You’re trending in the wrong way. I close my eyes. “Define wrong.” The ‘Eric Dusine doesn’t make mistakes’ crowd is circling. That gets my attention. I swing my legs off the bed. “Meaning?” Meaning someone decided you’re a phase. I laugh once, humorless. “That’s generous.” Meaning someone decided to protect him from you. That lands harder. I don’t reply. I don’t need to. I already know who. My phone buzzes again — different name this time. Unknown number. I stare at it for a second, then answer. “Janyia Hefling,” a woman’s voice says smoothly. “This is
- Writer
