(Michelle Lui's POV)
Kate practically dragged me across the street like she feared Steven and Anthony might suddenly sprint after me if she let go.
"Michelle—Michelle—MICHELLE—" she whisper-panicked, clutching my wrist. "WHAT. WAS. THAT?!"
I inhaled deeply.
Cold air in.
Warm chaos out.
Behind us, the footsteps and voices of the group began fading—
Vince yelling something ridiculous,
Jeff scolding him,
Jasmine hissing sharp whispers,
Anthony's clipped breathing,
Lara's worried tone,
Andy laughing because of course he was—
But Steven?
No footsteps.
No voice.
No movement.
And that—
that made the pull inside my chest twist painfully.
Like a memory rising at the wrong time.
Like an old bruise being pressed.
Like a ghost reaching out.
Stop thinking about it.
I wasn't ready to unravel that ache tonight.
Kate's hand tightened. "Sweetie? Are you okay?"
"I just… didn't want to choose between them," I said weakly.
Kate stared at me. Hard.
