Debra looked at her shoulder and smiled, "It's just a small cut. Doesn't hurt at all."
"I wasn't talking about that," Andrew said.
Debra was confused.
Opening the bathroom door, he added, "Come on, I'll take care of the wound."
A maid brought in a first aid kit, and Andrew gestured for Debra to sit on the sofa. He crouched down and carefully placed a band-aid on her injury.
His movements were slow, deliberate, and cautious.
Debra felt uneasy. "Andrew, what's wrong?"
Andrew paused, and she added, "Normally, if I get a little scratch, you just laugh and call me clumsy. But today..."
"Silly girl." Andrew brushed her nose with his fingers. "It's your coming-of-age day. I don't want to see you hurt."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that."
"I don't know, but you're acting strangely today."
Debra couldn't put her finger on it, but something felt different.
"Are you happy today?" Andrew suddenly asked.
Debra stared at him with growing unease. Behind them, Jordan's footsteps seemed to be fading away.
They reached the top of the stairs, and the applause from the crowd below sounded distant and unreal.
Debra scanned the first floor, her eyes landing on her parents, Andrew's parents, Erica, and others. They were all smiling happily.
Then she seemed to hear gunshots, her eyes darting around. "What was that sound?"
"Debra." Andrew cupped her face, forcing her to look into his eyes.
Debra's eyes somehow welled up with tears.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Goodbye, Mr. Ex: I've Remarried Mr. Right