LOVE ALARM

e A

for Edward Collins, the excitement that filled the air seemed like just another fleeting moment in the monotony of high school life. As the son of one of the wealthiest families in to

able since middle school, their bond forged through shared experiences of growing up in the spotlight. Jason

n asked, nudging Edward playfully. "I'm thinking we host a party thi

about to launch into more party plans, something caught Edward's eye-a g

with the more polished looks of Kingswell's student body. There was something about her presence, though, that stood out to Edward. Sh

ngering on the girl as she walked past

girl-Mabel Kingston. Just transferred here from somewhere up north, I

how-soft but with an edge. He watched as she slipped throu

ng him again. "Might be fun to introduce yoursel

ave bothered, but something about Mabel drew him in. She wasn't like the other girls at Kingswell-the ones who

to Jason. "I'll catch up with yo

g grin. "Good luck, man

t there was an edge of anticipation that he hadn't felt in a long time. As he approached Mabel, he saw her st

his tone casual. "You're n

is, and in that brief second, Edward felt like he could see something-pain, maybe, o

, her hands still fiddling

you finding Kingswell so far? It's a bit overwhelming, right? I remem

sponding. "It's... fine.

ous now. He noticed how she kept her answers

glancing up at him briefly. Her tone was neutral, but Edward c

of first period. Mabel quickly grabbed her books, muttering, "I

er-something hidden behind that quiet demeanor. Jason's words echoed in his head: Might be fun to introduce your

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g back to Mabel. During lunch, he sat with Jason and the rest of their usual gr

bout their summer adventures when he noticed Edward's lack of attention. "Y

dumb, though he knew exactl

e, you've been spacing ou

ct casual. "I don't know, ma

ent how? She's cute, sure, but s

lly went for. She wasn't flashy, didn't care about popularity or fitting in with the crowd. Bu

finally said, though the word didn

got my eye on Sarah from biology class. Maybe you'l

aking his head. "I

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sion, with sprawling gardens, marble floors, and more rooms than he could count. But despite all the luxury, it always felt empty. His father, Henry Collins, was ra

had was the silence

the hallway. There was something there-something she wasn't saying. And for the first time in

e small, framed photo of her and her brother, David. The picture was fro

uble. But Edward Collins wasn't someone she could just ignore.

lt in a long time. And as much as she wanted to stay invisible, she knew th

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ntinued.