CHAPTER 8
Emilia lasted exactly four hours back in her dorm before the knocking started.
She was still moving slow. The bandage at her temple itched. Her head felt like someone had packed it with wet cotton. The doctor had signed her out that morning with a list of instructions she already planned to ignore: rest, no screens, no stress, no parties.
The last one made her laugh under her breath when she read it.
She had just managed to lower herself onto the edge of her bed when the door handle jiggled and Ashley’s voice came through.
“Open up. We brought food and bad decisions.”
Emilia didn’t move.
The knocking got louder. Then Peggy’s voice joined in. “We know you’re in there. The RA saw you.”
Emilia dragged herself up and unlocked the door.
Ashley pushed in first, arms full of ta
