“Jasmine,” came the reply, soft but clear from the other side of the door.
*Who the hell is Jasmine?* I thought, my brow furrowing as I tried to place the name. My mind was already a tangled mess, and this new intrusion felt like one more thing I didn’t have the energy to deal with. I moved to the door, my hand hesitating on the handle for a moment before I pulled it open. Standing there was a girl, beautiful in a quiet way, with big hazel eyes that stared at me without blinking, like she was trying to memorize every detail of my face. She looked about my age, maybe a little younger, her expression caught somewhere between curiosity and nervousness. Her gaze felt intense, almost overwhelming, and I shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to respond.
“Hi,” I said, my voice awkward, breaking the
