Elsa’s POV
I was about to open my chamber door when I heard someone call my name.
“Elsa!”
The voice was familiar warm and cheerful in a way that immediately softened something inside me. I turned, and before I could even react, Neris came running down the hallway, her dark hair bouncing as she hurried toward me.
“Neris!” I gasped, surprised.
She threw her arms around me before I could say another word. I stood frozen for a second, then hugged her tightly. It felt strange but comforting to hold someone who wasn’t judging me, whispering about me, or looking at me with pity.
“I missed you so much,” I said against her shoulder, my voice breaking a little.
“Missed you too,” she murmured, pulling back with a grin. “You have no idea how boring school is without you. I only just returned to
