Serena sat in the sunlit corner of her room in the Calyx estate, her suitcase half-packed on the bed. The weight of her decision pressed heavily on her chest, but she had made up her mind. She couldn’t continue living like this, haunted by Eli and the remnants of what they once had.
She picked up her phone, dialing Nicole. It only took two rings before Nicole’s familiar voice answered.
“Serena! Finally! Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick,” Nicole exclaimed.
“I’m fine, Nic,” Serena said, her voice steady but quiet. “I just… needed some space.”
“Space? You practically disappeared! You have no idea how many times Eli has been—”
“Don’t,” Serena interrupted firmly. “Don’t bring him up.”
Nicole paused, then sighed. “Alright. What’s going on? Tell me.”
Serena hesitated, running he
