PART 3 - CHAPTER 144

PART 3 - CHAPTER 144 JESS

The rhythmic slap of my shoes against the pavement echoed around the nearly empty campus. My body hummed with energy, every muscle and tendon firing like clockwork, propelling me into the run. I loved this.

The solitude, the way my thoughts could scatter like the leaves along the path. No one to judge me. No questions. No missing pieces.

As I rounded the corner by the library, I almost screamed when someone stepped into the path from fucking nowhere!

I swerved to avoid them, my heart hammering wildly in my chest, and before I knew it, I was on my knees, gasping for breath. My hands pressed into the cold pavement, trying to regain control of my racing heart Shit.

"Jess!" A voice cut through the pounding in my ears, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up, still panting, and found Aiden crouching beside me, his face twisted in concern. "Are you okay?"

I blinked up at him, still trying to catch my breath, confused by the panic on his face. My breath came in sharp bursts, but I wasn't injured, just scared shitless for a second. I stood up and

PART 3 CHAPTER 144

296 Wouchers

brushed the dirt off my knees. "Am I okay? You scared the shit out of me," I wheezed, shaking my head, laughing at my

ridiculous response.

Aiden stepped back awkwardly, his brow furrowed, and scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sneak up on you. My bad. I forgot about... Anyway."

He trailed off, his words hanging in the air.

him over. "Forgot about what, Aiden?" I asked, frowning at how

I wasn't about to

wait," I grabbed his arm without thinking, and he froze, glancing down at where my fingers were wrapped around his wrist. I quickly let

he was deciding whether or not to let me in on the secret. His shoulders sagged slightly, and after a long pause,

the phrase feeling foreign in my mouth. I couldn't remember ever having one.

closer, his hand hovering near

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have to

spinning. Panic attacks. What else don't I know about myself? It all felt like

I said, more to convince myself than Aiden. I wasn't even sure what "fine" meant anymore. But whatever this was, I had to figure it out. Because if I didn't, the missing pieces would drive me

gaze lingered on me as he stepped back, giving me space. "I just wanted to make sure

his eyes on me, like he wanted to say something but wasn't

should really think about joining the track team again," Aiden said suddenly, breaking the quiet between us. "You're ready,

No," I said, brushing him

to walk away, thinking that was the end of it, but before I could take another step, Aiden grabbed my arm, pulling me

softly, and before could react, his arms were around

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expected-it felt different.

More intense.

as he pulled back just enough to look down at me, his eyes

brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering there for a moment longer than they should

gesture was intimate,

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