Diana’s POV
Saturday morning stretched out like warm taffy, slow, soft, and sweet with possibility. The sun streamed gently through my curtains, gilding the room in a lazy golden hue. School was out, and boredom clung to me like a second skin
Mum had gone grocery shopping, as usual. Dad? At the barracks, always.
I was alone. Again.
I picked up my chemistry textbook, more out of habit than curiosity. I’d read and memorized it cover to cover so many times, the formulas haunted my dreams. I tossed it aside with a sigh that felt like it came from my bones.
Maybe Mum was right when she said, “Diana, quit being a nerd. Enjoy your youth while you're still young.”
For once, I agreed.
I let out a sigh of frustration and that’s when I remembered I had a friend.
Eva.
Suddenly energized, I pu
