I couldn't tear my eyes away. My heart was beating faster than usual, my mind raced, a jumble of questions: Why was he here? What did he want? His presence was a shock, a jolt of unexpected energy. When he walked toward me, my body froze, unable to move.

He didn't say a word, but the smile on his face sent shivers down my spine. Kenzie, oblivious to the turmoil inside me, continued to introduce us: "Aaron, this is Bella, the girl I was telling you about, she’s a freshman."

Aaron’s ...