r was heavy in a way that had nothing to do with the weather, a

busied herself with her phone, scrolling with unusual intensity, and Kiara stood before the mirror, adj

happened, but I decided against it. I had enough problems of

n't about to let the tension in our room ruin my academ

eady?" Seraphina asked witho

. I'll be late if I don't go now," I

t at breakfast?" Bella asked soft

mething at the department,"

e mirror for a second, then looked away. That

ed myself that the day might be peaceful, that I could have at lea

le appeared besid

ide of his. "Have you heard about the upcoming medical proje

versation sound like a competition he was already winning. "I

essor Grant agreed to take me," he said with a practiced smile. "

I said flatly. "T

me this semester, Rose. Grant said this project will separate

isor might help, but it won't do the work for you. And for your informa

e you always this defensive, or i

nding, or is it just when you

chy. I was just trying to give

n. I have a review session to get t

roject actually begins," he said, his voice

ked away before he could have the last word. I co

were sitting on the stone bench where we usually met between classes. M

and to wave back, but before she could respond, Kiara turned away shar

ly, feeling the famili

understand people who refused to speak to me, tired of chasing explanat

a said, a little ou

, Bella. You don't ha

ing back at Kiara, who was now pretending to be v

xander was there

ss, he told you he's already won

ot Professor Grant," I sai

. okay. She's been distant. I think she's just str

too," I admitted. "I

re's going to be a university party this weekend. Romeo King is hosting it at the old hall. They'r

. The whole school wi

old times. It would be good for us," she said, her

think about it. I have

se, something heavier than a party invitation, but she

s, hoping the conversation would end there

else was about to make

ian

Darian Blake stood a few steps away, his ha

st time we had spoken properly was in

rian," I s

gauge my mood. "How have you been? I have

ms. You know how it

neither of us wanted to discuss what had happened in the li

For how I acted. I wasn't fair to y

I said, shifting my books against my chest, rea

, taking a step closer. "Eliana, can we talk pro

oticed his eyes move past me, towards Bel

ers relaxed, and for a brief moment, he looked at her with a warmth, a tende

, watching the

two seconds, but it was en

ause I was hurt. But as I watched him look at my best friend, a terri

rson he'd been waiting to see? Why did he look at her

atever I thought I knew about us, about our friendshi