The campus was quieter than usual, the summer break leaving most of the pathways empty except for some of the students attending coaching. The heat pressed down relentlessly, making the air heavy and the pavement shimmer and a few bicycles stood abandoned near the entrance.
Lila and Tessa strolled together across the nearly deserted courtyard near the parking lot, their voices low and easy as they chatted about their last meeting. The sun beat down hard, urging them toward the wide patch of shade cast by a sprawling oak tree at the edge of the grounds.
“Jesus, Lila. How can you be fine staying with someone like that? He looks so terrifying, and I still haven’t gotten his cold face out of my mind. Jeez,” Tessa said, shaking her head as they both sat on the backless bench under the tree.
