Maya POV
I couldn’t shake the sour taste in my mouth since last night. That message I sent Ariana sat heavy on my phone, she hadn't replied, just silence. It burned. I grabbed my bag and headed across campus, legs moving faster than my brain could justify. I told myself I just wanted coffee. But I knew where she usually studied.
The café was busy. Loud enough that a scene wouldn’t be ignored. Perfect. I spotted her in the corner; Ariana, curled over her laptop like the world might swallow her. Earbuds in, shoulders hunched. She looked small and tired. Good.
I walked straight to her table and sat down without asking. She looked up fast, surprise flashing across her face before it turned guarded.
“Maya,” she said, pulling one earbud out slowly. “What do you want?”
I smiled. “Just catchi
