Chapter 2

                                    

                                          

"Hi," I managed to squeak, my voice barely above a whisper. 
"Hey there," he replied, his smile widening as he took in my approach. 
His presence felt like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, dispelling the darkness that had clouded my morning.
In that moment, as we stood facing each other on the quiet street, I felt a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil of my emotions. Maybe, just maybe, today held the promise of something better.
"Have you been crying lately?" Adam's concern was evident in his touch as he gently cupped my face, his brows furrowing in worry. 
I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, feeling the weight of his concern pressing down on me. 
"Anna, what happened?" His voice was soft, but there was an urgency to his question that made my heart ache. 
I nodded in response, unable to meet his eyes. His grip on my face tightened slightly, refusing to let me pull away. Panic surged within me; what if my mother saw us like this? Desperate to escape, I attempted to free myself from his hold, but this time he relented, allowing me to step back. 
"Ady, I just didn't get enough sleep. Nothing happened, I promise,"
I reassured him, forcing a smile that felt hollow on my lips. "Let's go, okay?"
Adam's expression softened with understanding, but a hint of worry lingered in his eyes as he climbed into the driver's seat of his car. I quickly joined him, grateful for the distraction his presence provided. 
As we drove, the music from the 90s filled the car, and I couldn't help but smile at the familiarity of it all. The sun cast a warm glow over the world outside, painting the sky in shades of vibrant blue. 
I found solace in the beauty of the moment, letting it wash over me like a balm for my troubled soul. But instead of heading towards our school, Adam continued down a different road, leaving me puzzled and uncertain. "Where are we going?" I voiced my confusion, my eyes darting to him for an explanation.
Adam smirked, his eyes dancing with mischief. "We're going to school, darling," he replied cryptically, his tone teasing.
I narrowed my eyes at him, unimpressed by his vague response. "This isn't the way to school," I pointed out, crossing my arms in frustration. 
"True, but we'll get there eventually," Adam replied with a grin, his hand finding its way to my thigh in a gesture of comfort. Despite my reservations, I couldn't help but melt under his touch, my resolve weakening as we continued on our mysterious journey. 
Twenty minutes later, Adam pulled up outside a bar, and my confusion only deepened. "Why are we here?" I questioned, shooting him a perplexed look. But Adam simply smiled and got out of the car, leaving me to follow suit. 
As we entered the bar, memories flooded back to me; this was where Madison had celebrated her birthday last year, inviting the entire school to join her in the festivities.
"We're here for breakfast," 
Adam announced, his tone playful as he held the door open for me. Despite my nerves, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the prospect of spending time alone with him in such an unexpected setting. But amidst the excitement, a nagging thought tugged at the corners of my mind: Don't forget about Mason.
In the solitude of my thoughts, I found myself accompanied by two distinct personas: one, an inner goddess, radiating positivity and guidance; the other, a mischievous Ms. Devil, brimming with wild and eccentric ideas. They took turns in occupying my mind, their voices echoing within me. At this moment, it was my inner goddess who surfaced, nudging me to remember Mason and the sorrow that still lingered from my past. I tried to shake off the thought, but Mason's memory clung to me like an open wound, a constant ache in my chest. I could never forget him.