Alice’s POV
The whispers had faded. The murmurs died down. The article? Deleted.
Even user4456 wasn’t active anymore.
I felt like I could finally breathe again.
I told Jane and Leah smugly, “See? It pays to be calm.”
They rolled their eyes, but I gave them a full lecture about letting the universe work things out in its own time. I was practically glowing with inner peace — or at least, I was trying to convince myself I was.
Today felt normal. For the first time in weeks, I walked into school without feeling like I had a neon target on my back.
Sure, a few people still gave me sideways glances, like I was some walking scandal, but most had moved on. And honestly, I didn’t care what the rest thought anymore.
I was heading out of the department when I heard my name.
“Alice!”
I pau
