Chapter 72 Vacation.

The prom night had been a whirlwind—glittering lights, loud music, and the carefree laughter of my classmates. But as the night came to an end, I knew it wasn't just about the dancing and the dresses. It was about escape. I needed to get away, and Maya was the perfect excuse. "So, where are we going?" Maya asked, her voice tinged with excitement as we packed our bags the next morning. The idea had come to me in a flash—an after-prom vacation, a chance to leave town, even if only for a little while. "Anywhere but here," I replied, forcing a smile. The truth was, I needed to get out of Ashwood, away from Noah, Elsa, Mr. Smith, and everything else that had tangled my life into knots. Maya didn't know the half of it, and I was determined to keep it that way, at least for now. "How about the lake?" Maya suggested. "We could rent a cabin, relax, and forget about everything for a few days." "Perfect," I agreed, though my mind was miles away. I had already informed the pack about Mr. Smith