37 Shadows of the Past

37  Shadows of the Past In the dimly lit corner of their favorite lounge, Jada sat flushed with embarrassment, her friends' teasing about her crush on Mr. Carson reaching new heights. "That's it, I'm done with your mockery! I'll enjoy my solitude with my own drink," she declared with dramatic flair, though her eyes betrayed no intention of leaving. Emma, still chuckling, leaned closer. "Come on, Jada. It's all in good fun. We know you've got a soft spot for him, but that's what makes it so adorable." Jada sighed, her defenses waning under Emma's sympathetic gaze. "It's just... I don't know how to handle these feelings. It's not like I chose to fall for him," she confessed, a vulnerability in her voice that Emma seldom heard. "I know, and that's perfectly okay. Feelings are messy, but they're also what make us human," Emma reassured her, offering a comforting smile. Their conversation paused as the waiter brought another round of drinks. Emma's attention momentarily