Alex POV
The cafeteria buzzed with life, the hum of conversations blending with the clinking of utensils. The smell of roasted beans wafted through the air, reminding me of how much I’d skipped lunch the past few days.
“So… where have you been all this while?” I asked Linda, finally spotting her as she slid into the seat across from me. Throughout the day, she’d been scarce, and as a friend, it bothered me.
“It’s nothing, Alex. Just busy with school stuff,” she replied quickly, her voice light. But her fingers betrayed her; they played nervously with the hem of her sweater.
“School stuff? Since when are you the diligent type?” I teased, trying to draw her out, but she avoided my gaze.
“Alex, just drop it, okay?” Her tone was sharper now, defensive.
I wanted to press on, to ask
