By the time Kristine pushed open the heavy wooden door of the annex the next morning, her arms full of her duffel bag and makeup cases, I was already fully dressed, and my cot was neatly made.
She froze right on the threshold, her jaw practically dropping as she gawked at me.
I picked up my water bottle, casually stretching my arms over my head as if everything were entirely normal.
"Morning. What's up?"
Kristine stood motionless for a beat, her big blue eyes scanning my face with an unsettling intensity.
"Kelsie... you... you forgot to put on your hideously thick makeup today," she stammered out, her voice lacking its usual effortless confidence. "Your face... it's barely covered."
I waved her off with a light, indifferent gesture, turning toward the small cracked mirror hanging ne
