It was Wallis. She grabbed the fabric square and used it to cover her chest. He offered his hand but she rose on her own, still staring at the floor. She followed him out of the hall, watching his sandaled heels marching in front of her. The silence persisted until she reached the door. How could she bear to face her classmates after this?
For the first time since the accident, she allowed herself to freely think of Roxanne. She remembered how bold and fearless the other girl had always been, proud and self-assured even in her darkest moments. What would Roxanne have done?
Keriya stopped. She braced herself, then turned and found the one face she was searching for.
“Thank you for your words, Ansai,” she said loudly. “But I wouldn’t hold this against them. After all, I’m quite a sight to
