#Chapter 80: By My Side

Hannah As soon as my feet touched back down on solid ground, the world came crashing back into focus. A deafening roar of cheers and applause reached my ears, along with the sound of my own breaths coming out ragged and startled. Noah released me, although his hands momentarily remained around my waist as if to steady me. I blinked dazedly up at him, searching his expression. For the briefest of moments, the hardness of his face had softened into something resembling a genuine smile—one that made my stomach flutter and my nausea fade. But then, like a switch had been flipped, the moment was gone. Noah’s smile faded and he quickly let go of me, stepping away as soon as our ropes were untied. I grit my teeth, looking away. Of course; he had only been smiling because we had won. Not because we had worked together. Not because we had fun. A lump formed in my throat as I swallowed back the sting of disappointment. I knew I was being ridiculous, but I supposed a tiny part