her a reprieve from whatever weighed heavily on her mind. Summoning my courage

gether towards the library after school, I felt a sense of anticipation building within me. Conversa

k tugging at the corners of her lips. "I never took you for

it behind a self-deprecating smile. "Well, I suppose there's a firs

ld books and quiet whispers enveloping us like a comforting embrace. We settled into a qu

fect backdrop for our academic pursuits. But amidst the quiet hum of pages turning and pencils scratching against p

e and our hearts lighter than they had been in weeks. As we prepared to leave the libr

ers replaced by a sense of familiarity and understanding. We talked about everything and nothin

unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. I knew little about

er of the demons that haunted Annie's home life. My heart sank as we stepped into her apartm

r mother slurred, her wo

replied, her voice ti

t palpable in the air. Without a second thought, I offered to help put her

t than I had anticipated. But despite the physical strain, I couldn't help but

growing determination to unravel the mystery that was Annie Thompson. But for now, all I coul