The knock on the door startled Tiffany.
She was in her room, lights dimmed, blanket pulled tight around her legs. Her mom was at work. Cole hadn’t returned from playing football with his friends. Landon hadn’t come home, he was barely home these days.
The knock came again—gentle, rhythmic.
She walked to the door cautiously and pulled it open just a few inches.
Riley stood there.
Hood up. Hands stuffed into the sleeves of her sweater. Eyes rimmed with red.
Tiffany didn’t say anything.
Neither did Riley.
For a moment, they just looked at each other—two girls who had once shared everything. Now just fragments and bruises standing in a hallway.
“Can I come in?” Riley asked, voice barely above a whisper.
Tiffany hesitated.
Then stepped aside.
They sat on opposite sides of the bed. A
