All Along

Zara's face turned pale— every drop of blood gathered on her cheeks, forming a cute crimson blush that betrayed her panic.

She scrambled off him, stumbling back to create space between them. Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest.

"W—what are you doing here?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kendrick's lips curled into a tight-lipped smile, the flush on his face slowly fading. He cleared his throat and extended a phone toward her.

"You left this in my car." His voice was calm and steady unlike the turmoil stirring in Zara's stomach.

Zara hesitated, her fingers twitching at her sides. She wiped her damp palm against her dress before reaching for it.

"Um… thanks."

Silence stretched between them, thick and awkward.

Kendrick slipped a hand into his pocket, looking unbothered, while Zara's gaze darted anywhere but at him, her hand fidgeting with the hem of her dress