_Ariana’s POV_
I heard her before I saw her.
The soft knock, then the door creaking open like Mum always did it when she thought I was asleep. I wasn’t. I’d been staring at the ceiling since the group call had ended.
“sweetie"
Her voice was quieter now. Careful. Like she was afraid I’d snap if she said it too loud.
“Yeah?” I sat up, dragging a pillow into my lap like armor.
She came in with that look she gets when she thinks I’m lying. Worried, but trying not to show it. But I always still noticed.
“Can I sit?” she asked.
I nodded. She perched on the edge of my bed, smoothing the duvet like it was wrinkled and that was the real problem.
“How are you?”
I shrugged. “Fine.”
“You’ve seemed a little…” She hesitated, searching for the word that wouldn’t make me shut down. “Off.
