#Chapter 10 Is Alston home earlier?!

Sirius crouched down beside me, his curiosity piqued. “What’s in the box?” he asked, reaching for it. I block his view, shoving the ring into my bra, and release a shaky breath. He didn’t see the ring, or he didn’t care about such a small white lie. I clutch the keepsake tightly to my chest, my voice shaky. “It’s nothing. Just some old memories.” I pick up the other mementos and place them inside the box. He raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Old memories, huh?” I nod, trying to steady my breathing. “Yes. Things that don’t matter anymore.” He studies me for a moment and then stands up, giving me space to collect my memories off the floor. I placed the box back on the table, my heart still racing. Sirius leaned against the wall, his gaze never leaving me. “You’ve changed, Elise,” he said quietly. “But some things about you remain the same.” I looked up at him, my emotions a tangled mess. “People change, Sirius. Life happens. We move on.” Sirius stiffens behind me. “