He froze mid-step at her shout.
The wind howled between them.
The waves roared louder, almost as if the sea itself wanted to drown her words. But it was too late as they had already reached him.
Lyra's chest puffed out as she stood there, her fists clenched at her sides, tears already burning in the corners of her golden eyes.
"Why are you doing this?!" she shouted again, her voice shaking. "Why are you avoiding me like I did something wrong?!"
Gray didn't turn around.
The silence that followed only made her shake harder.
"I waited for you," she whispered softly.
"Every single day, Gray. I waited at the cafeteria, the training grounds, the beach... I even stayed up all night in front of the inn, hoping you'd show up. And you never did."
Her tears spilled freely now, tracing down her cheeks as the salty wind blew her hair across her face.
