ight : Br

erself she wouldn't

ke. Something her tired brain made into more than it was. But no matter how many times

r who gave her too much homework and how she planned to bribe him with cookies, her voice quick and playful, her hands

head. She hated it even more that she noticed the wa

ice in the arm. "I'm here pouring my soul out about my academic su

kly. "Sorry. I di

. Sure. And here I thought it had something to do

ed. "What? No

ooked at you like the rest of us disappeared, and you looked at him li

You're making it sound l

issa wouldn't have looked ready to commit

, and Clarissa thrived on it. The blonde girl was a shadow always loomi

ove Sophie right, Clarissa's voice

't the charity case an

her breath, already rolling her ey

er blonde hair gleamed under the sun, her outfit probably worth more than Alice's

vanish. But Sophie shifted beside her, folding her

ever tell you you're too young to look this washed o

Tell me, Sophie, is it exhausting babysitting her? She barely belongs here. Every

wanted to shrink, to walk awa

an actual brain and heart, I'll do that. Better than wasting it on someone who

t was entertainment. Clarissa's cheeks flushed, but h

to Alice. "Some people need to be reminded of their place. Especiall

ped. She knew exactl

fident in your relationship, why are you pressed about a look? Maybe you shoul

ll crowd. Clarissa's face har

e said, her voice low an

el, her friends sc

rms wide like she'd just won a performance. "And that,

e... what if she really does somethi

an't scare me. And she shouldn't scare you either. You've go

stomach didn't ease. Clarissa's words weren't empty

s, tried to focus on class and work, but her mind drifted

Bri

had lingered, even i

and warmed at the thought, even while fear coiled around her

she had just been pulled into a