Chapter 17

• EVELYN
• I really love Dave, don’t get me wrong. Every moment with him feels like an additional life, as the world fades away, leaving only us in our own little bubble. But no matter how perfect it felt, no matter how much I craved him, in my mind, body, and soul there was this strange, nagging thought that refused to leave my head. It screams at me, over and over again, reminding me of the line we’ve crossed and the consequences we might face if anyone ever found out.
• It’s not just guilt, it’s fear. A fear that claws at my chest and kept me awake at night. I can’t stop thinking about what would happen if our parents knew. Walking in their shoes, even for a second in my life, was unbearable. The thought of how they’d feel… it’s enough to send a knife down my throat.