Love's Unexpected Path

est friend had to repeat 12th grade due to a car accident. It

t the crowded venue. Meanwhile, James pulled me onto the

he asked, "Are you going to say hello

s ginger soda, and I had no doubt that if I nodded,

e; it was more about the pride of being a team captain, unable to toler

oo well—just a m

my expression, "we'r

t of hostility flickered in his

nging us closer together. Our faces were mirrored in each o

yfriend now, so why can't you be a

eck to his ears. Before our lips met, my gaze c

he was the only one who remained sober amidst the un

ad, Isabella managed to lift her gaze to bid me

urging him to give me some space, and sile

oor, but thanks to Edward's diligent efforts,

hanged into her pajamas, seated in th

foster mother greeted me warmly, "You're back, baby. Do you ne

he effects of alcohol, I doubted th

silk robe with the remnants of alcohol. Stepping back a couple of paces, I replie

adorned with golden decorations. Unwrapped gifts w

ed her glasses back o

I replied, my voice f

d twice as challenging. The discomfort in my stomach and the exhaustion in

d an unwelcome figure sta

I hel

laced with sarcasm, and it was a Herculean task to mai

wering height, reaching a staggering 6'6" at the tender

me to glimpse only the topmost

. I knew that his brown eyes

it feel s

by one, as if forcibly ex

tousled hair and stifled a yawn, leani

He appears to be

neer as he took a deliberate step clos

im to your new boyfriend, isn't

-on, and the passage of over a decade hadn't softened t

g through my veins

nal love before a priest. Breaking up is a normal occurrence. Should I now return to him and hold his hand i

attempting to restrain a torrent of unple

m. Damn it, I actually

y body off the wall, flashing a grotesque grin. "I do love him. I love Mr. Evans

to explode in anger, perhaps jumping and yelling b

ouldn't pinpoint which specific word had st

crazy," before he abruptly turned and dashe

led with confusion and con

sed the door. Removing my makeup hastily, I stepped into the shower b

ide my room, pausing briefly at my

, pulling the covers tighter around me. William's caramel-colored h

d to adjust the heating, returning quic

g that nightmar

like him

half years old when I was adopted, my biological p

loss —their six-year-old daughter, Madison, Alex'

ntless support groups and church events, and tried desperately

ing, never faltering in thei

ggesting that they take in a daughter, an angel who had lost both her pa

that d