Heartstrings on Fire

Chapter 69

Agnes bolted out of the Century Building and headed back to school. She holed up in the library till late, since she was free in the afternoon.

Jared shot her a text: “When are you coming home?”

Agnes stared at her phone for a moment but didn’t respond.

Soon, Jared called, his voice deep and resonant from the other end: “Got class tonight?”

Agnes answered, “I’ve got a journalism project on my plate, so I’m a bit swamped.”

“When will you be done?”

“I’m not sure, you should hit the sack; don’t wait up for me.”

could think about the whole day. It’s been a while since they last saw each other, and Agnes missed him. But when she recalled Jared’s cozy moment with Mamie yesterday, she had to

tried to explain, but Agnes was not satisfied with his explanation, and she realized she barely knew Jared.

was too tired, she caught some Z’s on the couch in the

shower, then crash

was a bit of a chicken, but she really didn’t know how to face Jared. On the fourth day. Jared found out.

home as usual, and finding

the library for days on end, Agnes felt groggy and scatterbrained. After showering, she realized she had forgotten to bring a change of clothes. This wasn’t the first time, but the house was empty and the bedroom curtains were drawn tight. She shrugged it off and walked out naked, planning to fetch her pajamas from the closet.

she stepped out of

was sitting on the couch, his gaze fixed on the bathroom.

back into the bathroom, slamming the glass door shut.

Then, silence.

hugged herself, her heart pounding like it was about to leap out of

as red as a boiled shrimp, her