s, campus tours, and forced socializing. Ava tried to blend in, a ghost

orhood" slash "Isabelle' s pre-semester ki

ile tight. "You're part of the family now

or whom, Av

ughter and the clink of glasses filled the air. Ava clut

Ava out to a group of her friends. Whispers

orner near a large oa

din

ts stood there. He had short, neat hair and serious eyes.

ing some air,

himself, his voice deep and formal. He

u." She tried a small

mentioned you were... joining the family." He s

's ri

oprietary hand on Ethan' s arm. "Ethan, darling!

dazzling. For Ava, it

uggesting something unfortunate, like a stray cat they'

ance. "I think I can manage

eyebrow

Ava, so sensitive. She' s just a bit over

weet, too sticky. "Actually, I' m f

arm again. "Well, we should mingle. So

ving Ava standing alone a

pression unreadable, before Isa

sabelle talking to him

voice carrying. "Just sort of drifting. And a bit... clum

. She'd sidesteppe

assive. He didn't defend Ava

Captain. Values integrity, honor. And Isabelle

Just

anufactured cheer of the party grating on her nerves. Her first