Chapter 34

She immediately turned her face to the side, hands flying up to cover it. "You... what are you doing..." "Sorry, Clara, I... I didn't mean to," Nicholas said, full of guilt. He quickly pushed himself away to the side, creating some space between them. Only then did Clara manage to get up. Her cheeks flushed red as she muttered, "You... just keep practicing. I'm leaving!" Nicholas: "..." He stood there, dumbfounded. After a long pause, he touched his lips gently, as if he could still feel her scent hanging there. Her lips were ridiculously soft, like biting into a marshmallow, with a hint of sweetness lingering on. Nicholas fell into deep thought, stuck in the moment. ... Early the next morning. Clara was getting ready to head out to school. Nancy said anxiously, "Andrew left in such a rush this morning, he forgot his textbook! What's he gonna do if he doesn't have it for class?" "Mom, I'll drop it off on the way. I pass by his school anyway." "Thanks, sweetie. That's a big help." Clara