Shirley I’ve spent the last few hours locked up in my room, working away on the rest of the day’s tasks. I’d like to say I’ve only cooped myself up in here so I can focus, but I know that another part of the reason is because I’m avoiding Keith. It’s silly - I know. But I figured it was a better alternative than returning to the kitchen table, unable to type any coherent words as I listened to his shower running in the background. I wanted to get something done after my elongated break and I know this is the only way to accomplish that. And it worked. I was able to finish all of my work today and even clear my head a little. Maybe that can also be blamed on the house being fairly quiet, but either way I’m thankful. Rewarding myself, I decide to change into my nightgown and grab my book again, soon wiggling onto the bed. I pick up where I lef

Shirley He couldn’t be…could he? My head is still reeling with the thought, feeling dizzied by the possibility as Keith and I finally sit in the car and buckle our seatbelts. I’m questioning it, trying to make myself believe that I’m mistaken and something else must have set Keith off. But it’s becoming harder to ignore my suspicions as he aggressively throws the car in drive and speeds away from the estate. There’s a buzzing silence between us that’s not even filled by the ambient sound of the radio as Keith has already turned it off. I assume that every mile we put between us and the party that his mood would get better, but it doesn’t. He only grips the steering wheel harder, keeps his angry stare on the road. Finally, I can’t hold my tongue any longer. “What’s wrong?” I ask,

Shirley The next two days seem to fly by as the team is busy working on their own necessary tasks. Even I barely remember to take a moment to eat as I stay glued to my computer, typing away furiously to do my part. And I hardly see Keith. In fact, I only really saw him once and it was from behind as his back had been turned to me and he’d been on the phone. I’d made sure to soundlessly move into the next room so I wouldn’t disturb him. When the morning of Thanksgiving arrives, I find myself waking up early and almost immediately leaving the house. I have a few errands to run for the day, including trying to see if the post office is open so I can redirect a few of Jean’s old packages that were apparently being held. Warren doesn’t seem too bothered to be working on the holiday as he drives me anywhere I need to go. However, I also try to sweeten him up more when

ShirleyI’m not sure what to do with myself. I woke up this morning, overwhelmingly aware of Keith’s parents being here as the house sounded more lively than usual. It’s not that I don’t want to see them - I actually think they’re lovely people. However, I’m not sure how to face them.They think Keith and I are together. I don’t know how to proceed, how to navigate this whole thing. Part of me wishes I could talk to Keith about everything, but I didn’t have the chance last night and I haven’t heard his voice from beyond the door this morning.So I’ve kept myself cooped up in here for hours, working away on my computer as I try to keep myself at ease. Only, I find myself losing focus any time I hear any noise or my mind slips back to the previous night. I wonder what Keith said to them when I’d left…whether he admitted the truth or just pushed it off. Maybe he didn’t have the heart to tell them they were wrong - I don’t think I would.It all has me in quite a daze, leaving me to try an

ShirleyThe sight of Ralph’s smile makes me instantly forget that I have to pee and nearly causes a shiver to slide down my back.It has been over a week since I’ve seen him, which almost made me forget about his disdain for me…for Anya. But based on the look on his face, I can tell that hate hasn’t faded - it may have even grown.“Do you need something?” I finally bring myself to ask, my grip tightening on my phone. It’s still open to my text thread with Keith, oddly making me thankful that I could hit call if necessary. But why do I feel like I may need to?“Just checking on you,” Ralph says, his smug smile growing. “I see you’ve made some friends.”He glances over my shoulder, causing me to turn and do the same as I see the distracted wolves in my party.“If that’s what you want to call it,” I reply as I turn back to him.Ralph hums, the sound only adding to my discomfort as I try not to grimace. But I still grow more rigid as I frown.“Guess it’s nice to have people to keep you co