I couldn't sleep that night. Ethan's words about Rhys kept replaying in my mind like a broken record. Had Rhys really changed? Was he genuinely regretting rejecting me? And why did I even care?
The morning light streamed through my curtains when I finally opened my eyes. I'd dozed off sometime around dawn. Groggily, I reached for my phone to check the time—only to remember it wasn't there. I'd left it at Julian's party.
"Crap!" I bolted upright, squinting at my bedside clock. 11:30 AM.
I'd missed half my classes already. Scrambling out of bed, I nearly tripped over my own feet as I rushed to get ready. No time for a shower—just a quick change of clothes, teeth brushing, and my hair pulled into a messy bun.
As I was grabbing my backpack, the house phone rang. Mom's number flashed on the screen.
"Hey, Mom," I answered, wedging the phone between my ear and shoulder as I searched for my notes.
"Elara! I've been trying to reach your cell all morning. Where have you been?"
