SAVON
The road stretched ahead of me, smooth and quiet, lights blurring softly at the edges as I drove. The city felt calmer at this hour, like it was finally breathing out after a long day. I rested one hand on the steering wheel, the other loose on my thigh, my mind nowhere near the road.
It was on her, Aria.
Her face came to me without effort. I thought of the way she looked surprised when she saw me at the studio. The way she tried to pretend she was not affected by anything. The way she laughed when she thought I was joking. And the way she limped slightly but still tried to act like she was fine.
I smiled before I realized I was smiling.
It felt strange, new, and frightening in a way that did not scare me enough to stop it.
“I’m really gone,” I murmured to myself.
I shook my h
