Chapter 13: The Uninvited Guest
As the crowds thinned and Vincent went to retrieve the car, Lily stood alone under a large oak tree, taking in the moment.
"Lily."
May you like
The voice was raspy, hesitant. Lily turned. Standing ten feet away was Vanessa. She was dressed in clean but cheap clothes, her blonde hair tied back simply. She looked older, humbled, stripped of all her former artificial glamour. Lily’s breath caught in her throat, her grip tightening on her diploma.
"I'm not here to ruin your day," Vanessa said quickly, taking a step back as if afraid her proximity was toxic. "I just... I read in the alumni newsletter that you were graduating today. I came to watch from the back."
