Aria.
The cafeteria was buzzing, packed with noise and movement, but it all felt distant. Like I was walking through a dream I couldn’t quite wake up from.
Maya walked beside me, her tray balanced in one hand, chatting about something I couldn’t catch. Lila was on my other side, her voice clearer, but still muffled somehow, like I was underwater.
“…and then I realized I’d written the numbers wrongly,” Lila said, laughing softly. “So now I’m hoping Ms. Carr doesn’t count that one too heavily because I worked hard on that question.
Honestly, I just hope Elliot does well too. I know we’re not really speaking, but I’d hate for his grade to drop. Things are… I don’t know. Civil. Professional, I guess.”
I nodded slightly, pretending I’d heard the rest. My hands felt cold around the tray. I
