I shot daggers at Derrick, the intensity of my gaze slicing through the tension that hung heavy in the air, effectively compelling him to clamp his mouth shut. Despite my best efforts at subtlety, I couldn't resist the urge to steal a glance at the reactions of my closest friends, each expression a tableau of emotions that mirrored the complexity of our shared history. Izac, ever the picture of puzzlement, furrowed his brow in silent contemplation that belied the turmoil swirling within his mind. Brooklyn, her features a canvas of heartbreak and concern, met my gaze with an unspoken understanding that tugged at the frayed edges of my conscience. Melissa lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts, absently scratched at her eyebrows, her gaze fixed upon a distant point that eluded my discernment.
