His Affection

of orange and gold outside his car window. The engine roared beneath him, matching the tempest of

eckless act. It felt exhilarating and liberating, yet the weight of his choices pressed on him like an anchor.

ntal whispers. He envisioned them, some laughing, others incredulous, and the livid expression on Claire's face as her silk dres

ked hastily in the driveway and stepped out, clenchin

softly under the yellow light, There she was sitting on the couch with her hands clasped tightly i

anded, her voice a mix of concern and bewilderment. "Claire was

o mood for your nagging," he shot back, a sharp edge to his voice. He wov

hat!" Abigail's voice rose, catching him off gu

e dripped with sarcasm. "It's called setting boundaries. I was clear e

do you? You can't just dismiss people like they're nothing! There

ife lesson right now." The anger simmered beneath the surface, hot and unyielding. He wanted to b

echoing through the hallway. Labored silence followed, th

my shoes, Mom! You don't see how people push and push, and I snapped. M

's not just about Claire, Noah. It's about how you handle your emo

is sunshine and rainbows. The world isn't always a friendly place,

ust want you to be happy. You can't keep pushing away everyone who tr

glare. "Not everyone deserves a chance," he snapped, bitterness

nothing left to say. Without another word, he turned and storm

y, the anger still thrumming through his veins-against Claire, against his mother, and ag

eing alone really the answer? Would it always come to this? He couldn't shake the feeling that he was at

is bed closing his