{Elira}
~**^**~
By the time I made it back to the dorms, the sky was already painted with the kind of light that softened everything it touched.
My whole body ached, but it wasn't the usual soreness that came after a brutal session. This one felt earned.
Every ache was a reminder that I was changing, piece by piece.
As soon as the elevator arrived on the third floor, the doors opened. I exhaled and stepped out, finding my way to our door before pushing it open.
The familiar chatter hit me immediately. Nari sprawled on her bed with her tablet in hand, Cambria folding laundry with her usual quiet focus, Tamryn braiding Juniper's hair while humming off-key.
The room smelled like shampoo and warm tea.
When they noticed me, all movement paused for a second.
"Elira!" Nari practically leapt from her bed, her grin huge. "You look like you just ran a marathon, but also like you won one!"
