Elena Cruz
Elena sprawled across her bed with her laptop, highlighter in hand, trying to make sense of the Anthropology reading that was due at midnight. The words kept blurring together. Something about territorial disputes in early pack settlements. Something about hierarchy structures. Something she should probably care about but couldn’t focus on.
A knock on her door pulled her attention.
“Come in.”
Mrs. Parker opened the door. “Your friend Lila is here, dear. She says you’re working on a project together?”
“Oh. Yeah. Send her up.”
Mrs. Parker nodded and disappeared. A moment later, Lila appeared in the doorway, backpack slung over one shoulder, looking around with wide eyes.
“Okay, this house is insane,” she said, dropping her bag on the floor. “Your room is bigger than my enti
