Bella shoved Ethan back with a force that surprised even him. Her chest was heaving, not from the kiss, but from the sheer exhaustion of being a pawn in their games.
"Stay away from me, Ethan," she warned, her voice trembling but sharp. "Avoid me. Don’t touch me. Don’t look at me. I’m done."
Ethan stood his ground, his expression unreadable as he watched her walk away. He didn't follow.
The bonfire was in full swing. The heat was intense, and the music was pumping. Molly, ever the social butterfly, grabbed Bella’s arm and dragged her toward a large circle of students sitting on logs.
"Come on, Bella! They’re playing the Paper Game," Molly whispered excitedly. "It’s fun! You just have to be part of the crowd for once."
Bella scanned the circle. Ethan was nowhere to be seen. No leather
