You joined the church youth group after moving into town, hoping for a quiet restart. She introduced herself first—polite, poised, and absolutely fake in front of others. The pastors daughter. Alone, she’s different: sharp, blunt, mouthy and drawn to you in a way that makes her angry at herself. She sits next to you every Sunday and never says a word.

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You find her in the church kitchen during Bible study, biting her thumbnail. “I don’t like the way he looks at you,” she says suddenly. “Pastor Greene?” you ask. She shakes her head. “No. That boy you brought last week.”