Nothing But Pretend
] [Photo 2: A candid shot of her laughing, looking unburdened.
Comments flood in immediately. Most are compliments from acquaintances.
A second later, her phone rings.
"Hello?" Claire answers, wiping sweat from her forehead.
"You went to Green City?" Adrian's voice is deep and steady, grounding her. "Be careful out there. Don't go wandering off into the woods."
Claire nods obediently. "Don't worry, I'm with Vivian."
"Call me when you get back."
"Okay," Claire says, her eyes curving into crescents. "I'll treat you to dinner. The expensive kind."