Riley’s pov
"Riley, please wait up!" The voice I immediately recognized as Emma rang out behind me as I tried to put as much distance as I could between myself and the chaos of the hallway. My legs felt weak, my heart pounded in my chest, and my breath came out in short, sharp bursts as I forced myself to stop, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes on me. People were staring, and whispering, and I felt like I was on display.
As I stopped and tried to collect myself, Emma caught up to me, reaching out to hold my arm. Her grip was gentle but firm as if she knew I might bolt at any second. She guided me to a patch of grass on the field nearby and urged me to sit down. I dropped to the ground, letting the coolness of the grass steady me, though my breathing remained frantic.
Emma knelt besid
