Chapter 19

The rest of the day passed in a blur as I went through the motions of attending classes and interacting with my classmates. But no matter how hard I tried to push Brax out of my mind, his presence lingered like a ghost haunting me at every turn.

After school, as I walked out, I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around, I saw Brax standing there, his expression unreadable. My heart clenched at the sight of him, but I forced myself to remain composed.

"Willow," he said softly, his voice breaking through the wall that I had built around myself.

I swallowed hard, steeling myself against the wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "Brax, please... it's better this way," I whispered, unable to meet his gaze. My eyes searched the ground as I played with the bottom of my sleeves.

He stepped closer, reaching out to gently cup my face in his hands. "I don't care what anyone says or thinks. All that matters is how we feel about each other," he said earnestly.

Tears filled my eyes as his w