From Across the Darkness

Many hours later, when I found myself alone in my hotel room, free from my fancy white dress and all the silly masks I’d worn the whole night, I couldn’t help thinking about Brandon. We’d spent the whole time circling each other, always in sight but never close. He’d look away if I glanced at him, I did the same to avoid his eyes. We’d played our parts by somebody else’s hand and left with them in opposite directions.

How come we’d turned out to be such stupid chickens?

Only then I realized he didn’t know why I needed to be back to the Manor, and he was convinced I was dating Harry. He had no idea about the domino effect his conversation with Edward was having on my life.

Not much left to say. Well, yeah, because I’d shut him completely out.

Why had I done it?

Hugo’s definition of love kept going round and round my head.

Halfway.

And all of a sudden, I saw Brandon outside the