"Are you absolutely certain that's what transpired?" Lanse inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.
Tess lifted her gaze, meeting Lanse's face through the hologram, and responded plainly, "Yes."
Resuming her focus on the game, Lanse's unwavering stare remained upon her. Puzzled, he wondered why he didn't notice the scars that adorned her body, just like the others did. As his conscience reminded him of the relief he felt for not witnessing her in that wounded state, he averted his gaze.
There was no denying it. Lanse harbored a crush on Tess, yet he remained unsure if it would withstand the test of time. Countless times in the Mid-Sentry, he had encountered girls whom he initially found captivating, only to be let down in the end.
