“I know…” she admitted quietly.
Because she did, more than anyone.
Lori, sensing the heaviness settling again, clapped her hands lightly once, forcing a change in tone, trying to distract her friend.
“Okay,” she said, more briskly now. “Enough spiralling for today. Let’s go collect our schedules and badges before the line becomes unbearable.”
Iva nodded faintly, grateful for the distraction.
“Yes… okay…”
They walked together toward the registration hall, the earlier chaos replaced now with organized lines, staff members handing out documents and identification badges with practiced efficiency.
Iva moved through it all mechanically, barely registering the details as she received her schedule, her Academy ID, her assigned classes.
Everything felt distant.
Muted.
Like she was watchi
