JENNIFER
Later that night, I found myself alone in my room, my eyes locked on the open textbook before me, yet my mind was far from its pages. It swirled with apprehension about the doom I would face tomorrow. I contemplated skipping classes to avoid it all, but the looming quiz left me no choice but to soldier on. Lost in contemplation, I gazed out the window. Luca's car glided into view, its headlights slicing through the darkness. I half-expected Victoria to emerge alongside him, but he was alone, his tuxedo carelessly slung over one shoulder, contrasting his casual button-up shirt.
As I continued to observe his approach toward the house, a gentle knock interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see my mom peeping in, but I remained focused on the books before me, not yet ready to engage
