Published September 12, 2026
Chapter 10: Alex
The rhythmic click of Lucy's highlighter suddenly feels like that of a courtroom. Every second sitting in this room, working on our history project feels like a lie. Cal's hand is still a warm, heavy weight on my knee, but the comfort of it is beginning to warp. It isn't just a shield; it's a restraint.
"Great, so Cal does history, Alex does characters," Lucy chirps, entirely oblivious to the suffocation tension vibrating between Cal and I. She gathers her index cards into a pile and taps it against the table. "I'm going to run to the restroom before we start. Don't do all the hard work without me."
The moment Lucy disappears around the corner, the silence between Cal and I turns razor-sharp.
"Alex," Cal says softly, his hand squeezing my knee. "You're doing it again, breathe."
"I am breathing," I lie, turning to look at him. "Cal, my mom died seven years ago in a hit-and-run. That's what the police said, that's what my dad told me. But I don't remember a crash. I don't remember a funeral. And actually, I don't remember anything from that entire spring."
Cal's face pales. The guarded mask slipping into an expression of raw panic. "Alex, please. We talked about this. Don't go digging into things that hurt you."
"Why does your house terrify me?" My voice rises, a desperate whisper. "Why did my heart speed up the moment Lucy mentioned it? Cal, if you love me, if you're actually protecting me, tell me the truth. What really happened that night?"
He doesn't answer. He can't. He looks like a man standing on the edge of an executioner's block.
"Fine." I say, a sudden, reckless surge of adrenaline overtaking my fear. My chair scrapes against the carpet. "If you won't tell me, I'll just go talk to your dad right now."
"No!" Cal lunges across the table, grabbing my wrist. His grip doesn't hurt, but it's desperate. "No, Alex, you can't go there. It's dangerous."
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141,046 Literary Works • 673,936 Reviews
Does a highlighter click? I have not used one that has a clicking mechanism like a pen does, but that might just be me not being cool enough with my stationary. How does a click feel like a courtroom? I understand the image but I thought a courtroom has those big hammers that the judge bangs and maybe Lucy is banging her pen and it seems loud and that is why Alex compares it to a courtroom. Some action now! Alex is asking the right questions. I am very intrigued why Cal can't tell her. Is something magical going on? I don't see why Lucy is needed in these scenes if she just leaves anyway. Maybe there could be tension earlier that means Lucy is absent, or her character is involved more. She feels like an after thought to me which is sad as there is a lot of ways you could use her to add more tension here. A nice chapter again
Hello there, human! I'm reviewing using the YWS S'more Method today!
Shalt we commence with the wretched S’more?
Top Graham Cracker - Lucy is proud of their project and goes to the bathroom, leaving Alex and Cal alone together. But Alex is tired of Cal not telling her anything and decides that she will speak to his Dad herself.
Slightly Burnt Marshmallow - I’m not sure how a chair is going to scrape against a carpet but if you’d like to keep it, then you may ignore this.
Chocolate Bar - I like that Alex is getting fed up with Cal about how he’s always protective of her but still doesn’t tell her the truth. I think that my favorite sentence in this is how she sees Cal’s hand on her knee as a restraint, because after all that, it’s become that way for her.
Closing Graham Cracker - Overall, a rather intriguing chapter. I enjoyed reading this and I will be certain to read the next chapter tomorrow. I’m a bit puzzled as to how Alex will see Cal’s Dad when she’s in school, but the next chapter might answer that. Anyway…
I wish you an amazing day/night! ^v^
Thank you! The chair scraping against the carpet was a little off wasn't it? I'll fix that when I get time!
Alr, cool!