13..
When Jake called back, he got the automated
message.
Blocked.
He hadn’t seen Sarah in over three months.
No one made him breakfast when he forgot.
It felt… wrong.
Even when he was with Mia, he kept looking
over his shoulder, expecting to see Sarah
there.
The ever–present shadow behind him was
gone.
He told himself it was just habit, that he was
used to Sarah always being there.
He didn’t overthink it.
Every night, he’d go stand outside Sarah’s
building, waiting until he saw the light on in
her window. Only then could he relax.
She was just being difficult.
Northwood’s schedule was different, they
く
started later, so he hadn’t bumped into her.
But that guy’s voice on the phone… it
bothered him.
Then he thought, Sarah liked him.
When he confessed, she’d blushed and said
yes.
They’d grown up together. He knew Sarah.
She was shy, conservative, a bit of a goody-
two–shoes. She wouldn’t date some random
guy at Northwood, let alone kiss him.
She was just trying to get his attention.
The thought eased his anxiety.
He went to Sarah’s building and saw a figure
moving behind the curtains. Relief washed
over him.
