Lily walked quickly through the school hallways, her arms wrapped around herself like a protective shield against the weight of her emotions.
Her confrontation with Maya replayed in her mind like a broken record, each sharp word cutting deeper.
She felt heavy, suffocated by guilt, sadness, and a growing sense of isolation.
She needed to be alone, away from everyone.
The courtyard had crossed her mind as a place to retreat, but it was too exposed. Someone was bound to see her, and she couldn’t handle the prying eyes or whispered gossip right now.
Instead, she made her way to the indoor swimming pool, tucked away in a quieter wing of the school.
The pool was usually deserted at this time of day. Most students were in class or too busy socializing elsewhere.
As she opened the
