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Saying goodbye is death by a thousand cuts Flashbacks waking me up, I get drunk, but it's not enough
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ִ ࣪⚝₊ ⊹˚
As Adora walked over to the fountain, she noticed her Tatum's concerned expression. Her cousin's gaze scanned over Adora's tense posture, the way her shoulders were drawn up, and her jaw clenched tightly. Stu and Billy flanked her, both guys stepping in close as though to shield her from the questions, whispers, and rumors still buzzing through the school.
"How did the questioning go, Adora?" Tatum asked, her voice gentle but worried.
Adora let out a long, heavy sigh. "It was intense," she muttered, struggling to find the right words. "They asked... I don't know, just the usual questions, I guess. I mean, I've never been involved in anything like this, so..." She trailed off, letting the weight of her frustration show.
With a quick drop of her backpack against the fountain's wall, she slid down next to Stu and Billy. She leaned back, resting against their shoulders, and felt herself relax slightly. They were close, and their steady presence made her feel safe. Both Stu and Billy exchanged a glance, each too familiar with the proximity of Adora but unwilling to let the others see that momentary flicker of feeling.
Tatum's gaze didn't falter, concern etched into her expression. "What did they ask you?" she asked, her voice softer now.
Adora let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through her hair. "Everything, really. They kept circling back to Casey and that night, like they thought I'd suddenly remember some huge detail that would magically solve the whole thing." She shook her head, frustrated.
Stu slung an arm over her shoulder casually, flashing his usual mischievous grin. "Guess they think you're guilty by association. That's how they work."
Billy narrowed his gaze at her, studying her face closely. "They don't know who they're dealing with. You don't have anything to hide, right?" His voice was low, almost a challenge.
Adora met Billy's gaze, her eyes glinting with a hint of challenge. She managed a faint smile, almost playful yet guarded. "Of course I don't have anything to hide. Do you?" She asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
For a split second, Billy's expression flickered. Then, he smirked, as if dismissing her question as easily as one of his usual jokes. "Nothing worth hiding, sweetheart." He replied smoothly, his voice low.
Tatum reached over, offering a reassuring squeeze of her arm. "They'll leave you alone soon enough."
Adora nodded, feeling the tension ease a bit as she leaned further into Stu's and Billy's shoulders. The feeling of being caught between them was both comforting and confusing; she felt safe, but a strange warmth seemed to linger between them that she couldn't quite shake.
