You're crying? he said.No, I- I tore my gaze away. Just dust. From the path. Simon's that way.I tried to pass him, but he stooped, trying to get a loom of my face. When I wouldn't let him, he caught my chin. I jerked back, flinching at his touch, heart thudding at it, too.I told myself Simon was wrong. I'd never be dumb enough to fall for Derek. But I had. With him so close, my stomach kept doing weird flips. It wasn't fear. It hadn't been fear for awhile.You have been crying, he said, voice softer.
In the scene, tension builds as one character confronts another about their emotional state. The dialogue suggests a sense of vulnerability, particularly when the speaker tries to deflect attention by claiming it is just dust from the path. Despite efforts to maintain distance, physical contact occurs, leading to an internal struggle marked by both flinching and an unexpected attraction. The protagonist grapples with feelings for Derek, even though they initially deny...
