**Chapter Ten**
**Zelene**
The days after the play were a blur of worry and confusion. Damian’s sudden call and abrupt hang-up had left me unsettled, and no matter how many times I tried to reach him, my calls went straight to voicemail. It was as if he’d vanished into thin air. Mikey noticed my distraction, though he didn’t say much about it. He’d been quiet since the play, his usual enthusiasm dampened by Damian’s absence. I hated seeing him like that, but I didn’t know how to fix it.
One evening, as I was cleaning up after dinner, my phone buzzed on the counter. I grabbed it, my heart leaping when I saw Damian’s name on the screen.
“Hey,” I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Hey,” he replied, his voice low and strained. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch. Things have been..
