Chapter 18

Today marked the day of my return to California. I had anticipated feeling joyful about it, but deep down, a sense of sadness enveloped me. There was a conflicting tug in my heart, urging me to stay and work things out with Zane. "Think with your head and not your heart, you foolish girl!" my inner voice shouted. I took a deep breath, quietly whispering to myself, "Think with my head and not my heart."

One part of me longed to stay, while another part insisted on letting things be as they were. After all, it was Zane who had shattered our friendship by choosing a mean-spirited girl over me. I couldn't fathom why I still held onto that anger. It had been years, and I had convinced myself multiple times that I had moved on. But now, upon reflection, I realized I wasn't over him; I was over the situation.

Even if I desired our friendship to mend, I doubted it would be a wise choice in the long run. Sooner or later, he would realize my feelings had evolved beyond friendship. He