Chapter 232

Stella My head was on fire. Total chaos. What was I thinking ? I should've walked away. But my body didn't listen. It just wanted to stay close to him. When he said he'd take care of me, it hit different. It felt dangerous. Like something I shouldn't want. But I did. I really did. All I could focus on was how warm he felt. His hand on my arm burned like I was standing too close to a fire. We got in the car, and for half a second, I remembered how to think. I asked where we were going. Then he dropped it. His place. His actual house. That hit like a gut punch. Cold. Sharp. Instant panic. "No," I said, shaking my head. Hard. "We can't go to your house." My voice was raw, barely holding it together. "Why not ?" he asked. Calm. Not pushing. Just asking. God. If we were just at school, I could lie. I could cover it, maybe even wipe footage if I had to. But his place ? Too risky. That would leave a trace. A direct line. I never should've left the damn bathroom. What was I doing ? Was I serio