Page 36 of Falling For Us Again

I take a step back to admire my work, my heart sinks. Instead of the abstract flowers I intended, the canvas holds a striking resemblance to Dylan. His eyes, his smile, his laugh—all captured in vibrant colors. Mortified, I look around to see if anyone has noticed. It doesn't seem like it, but I can’t take anychances. I grab a cloth and dip it into the solvent, scrubbing at the paint with desperate urgency.

In my haste, my elbow knocks over a pint of red paint. The can tips, spilling a cascade of crimson across the table and onto the floor. The clatter of the can hitting the ground draws everyone's attention, and suddenly, all eyes are on me.

“Jenna, are you okay?” Lola asks, rushing over with concern etched on her face.

“I’m fine.” I stammer, cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I bend down to clean up the mess, but my hands are trembling. “I got carried away, and then I—”

Before I can react, Dylan is by my side. He grabs my hand and pulls me away. “Are you hurt?” He looks me over.

“I’m okay,” I say quietly.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” he asks.

My embarrassment mixes with annoyance. I snatch my hand away from him. “You don't need to treat me like a child.” I snap.

I grab a mop to clean up the mess. He runs a hand over his hair before taking the mop from me. “Let me.”

“You don't need to.”

But he doesn't listen to me. Heat rises to my cheeks as I glance up to see everybody watching us. I join Dylan in cleaning the splatter.

He asks again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I nod, unable to trust my voice. The proximity of him, the concern in his voice, and the eyes of everyone on us are almost too much to handle. The room feels small and constricting.

“Alright, everyone. Let’s focus on our paintings. You have only a few minutes left to unleash your inner Picasso.” Lola says, steering everyone’s attention back to their canvases.

The murmurs and buzz of the room resumed, and I let out a sigh of relief. Once the spill is cleaned, Dylan stands up and extends his hand to help me up. I take it hesitantly, the warmthof his touch sending butterflies in my stomach. We stand there for a moment, both of us unsure of what to say or do next.

Suddenly, the lights go out, plunging the room into darkness. Panic surges through me, and I begin to hyperventilate.

My breaths come quick and shallow, my chest tightening as the darkness closes in around me.

Chapter 11

DARKNESS

Jenna

“Please, switch on the lights.” My words are strained as I clutch my chest, feeling my breath leaving me in ragged gasps.

The darkness swallows me whole, and suddenly, I'm back there. I can’t see anything but the haunting faces of those men pursuing me, their cruel smiles etched into my memory as they push me to the floor. The panic is overwhelming, and my heart races as I struggle to breathe.

“Please, please,” I whisper, my voice barely audible, trembling with fear.

Out of the void, Dylan’s hands find mine, grounding me with their warmth. He pulls me into his chest, his grip firm yet gentle. Over the rising tide of my panic, I hear his voice cut through the darkness.

“Can someone turn on the light?” He yells, his tone urgent and commanding.

To me, his voice is softer and more soothing. “I’m here, Jenna. It’s me, Dylan. You’re safe. You’re okay.” His hand moves in comforting circles on my back, his touch anchoring me to the present.

I try to focus on his words, on the sensation of his hand, but my mind is trapped in the past. The memory of those men is vivid and terrifying. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to push the images away, but they keep resurfacing, each one more menacing than the last.

“Breathe with me, Jenna,” Dylan whispers, his breath warm against my ear. “In and out. Slowly. You can do this.”

I force myself to mimic his breathing, drawing in a shaky breath and exhaling slowly. It feels like I'm trying to breathe through a straw, but I cling to Dylan’s voice, letting it guide me. Gradually, the frantic beat of my heart begins to slow, and my breathing steadies just a bit.

The lights flicker back on, bathing the room in a warm glow. I blink against the sudden brightness, closing my eyes and opening it slowly to adjust as I cling to Dylan.

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