NATALIA
“There’s something different about you.” It was what Ivy told me as soon as she saw me.
I pointed at myself, wondering what she meant. She just tilted her head as if waiting for me to respond to a question I didn’t even know the answer to.
“I… I wore some makeup today. Is that what you notice?” I offered an answer, still confused as to what she meant.
But Ivy didn’t even blink. She leaned in closer, far too close for my comfort. Her eyes narrowed like she was inspecting my soul. “No,” she said with certainty. “That’s not it.”
Her gaze dropped from my face down to my posture, and I hadn’t realized the subtle ease in my shoulder until she looked like she was trying to pry me open.
“You look alive today.” She suddenly pointed out, making me look at her in confusion.
“There’
