âIâm here for you. Iâll keep you safe. Iâm not going to lose you a second time.â
   Words echoed against the walls of her brain like a chorus on repeat. Images began to burn against her eyelids, preventing her from avoiding that look in his eyes. It was fiercely loyal, expectant, but not of her- never of her.Â
   She wanted the words to stop, would give anything for the opportunity to laugh at him. â Protect me, Parker? As if, â but she couldnât say that now. A deep ache settled in her chest, unable to shake the desire to pretend everything was the way it used to be. Kids, studying for their next text or debate- not this.Â
   â Peter, â composure shattering, earth brown eyes fell the the pavement. It wasnât his fault the first time, and it wouldnât be his fault now. Fingers brush his arm slightly, the girl exhaled through her nose with reserve. Dark curls bounce against her bruised cheek as her head shakes.Â
   â Thereâs more at stake, than just me. You have to go- â Searching his stubborn gaze, fear pricked the surface of her skin, but she remains unwavering.Â
   â You know that. â A step away from him had her heart hammering, eyes narrowing in an attempt at appearing collected. Another step caught her breath in her throat. A steady, level gaze remain on Peter unfailingly, " go. "