NATALIA
~~
As I walked back to my room, lost in thoughts, a figure caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. It was Derek, standing outside my bedroom door.
Surprised, I called out his name, and as he looked up at me, but even from afar, I could see the tiredness etched on his face. Concern flooded through me, and I quickly made my way towards him.
"Derek, what are you doing here? Are you alright?" I asked, my voice laced with worry.
Derek forced a smile, but it didn't reach his weary eyes. "I've been waiting for you, Natalia," he replied. His tone was a mixture of fatigue and something else, something that made my heart skip a beat.
Concern deepening, I stepped closer and asked, "What's going on? Why do you look so tired?"
Derek nodded, his eyes scanning the hallway before
