l. The smell of antiseptic mixed with the faint aroma of burnt coffee made her stomach twist. Every step felt heavier tha

fect. Always the first to speak up in class, always the one who made the Dean smile, always the one the family proudly showca

gina," a voice ca

egina nodded in return, her own smile faltering. She had learned long

ld her just this morning, *"Regina, why can't you be more like your sist

eak softer. Regina had memorized the rules,

voice, but her mind kept wandering. She thought about her father's sharp glance at breakfast. The

her hands moving faster than her thoughts. Each word on the page was a small

owly, deliberately. Regina didn't mind being alone; in fact, she preferred it. It m

ourtyard, her phone buzzed.

ues tonight. You're excused from social events.

walls closing in. Every moment she spent outside of perfection was scrutinized, judged. Sh

ld paper and promise. She tried to lose herself in her studies, but it was impossible. Every page remind

ttention because it was freely given, like the sun shining over a field. Regina envied her. Not for her looks, her

ice broke thro

cal student she had occasionally studied with. His express

voice barely carrying over t

His gaze was steady

hat question with genuine interest in months. "I'm fine," she sai

his seat across the aisle. Regina watched him for a moment, a flicker of warmth stirring inside he

ching students pass by, laughing and carefree. Part of her longed to join them, to slip out of the chains of expectation and just be hersel

and this time it was a g

. Don't forget to submit your late

e could almost taste the bitterness in that word. She typed nothing in response.

ot of frustration and longing tighten in her chest. She was trapped in a life she hadn't chose

d. A stubborn ember of defiance, whispering that o

she