"My friends found me before I fell apart completely."
Silver didn't hear them come in. Didn't hear footsteps or voices or the door opening. She just suddenly felt Americus's hand on her shoulder and realized she'd been standing at the edge of the rink for longer than fifteen minutes.
Way longer.
"Hey." Americus's voice was uncharacteristically soft. "Security guard called campus safety. They called us."
Silver turned. Americus, Riley, and Maya stood there in their coats, breath visible in the cold air. All three of them looked worried.
"How'd you find me?" Her voice came out hoarse.
"Tracked your phone." Americus held up her own device. "I told you I have my ways."
"That's super illegal."
"So is breaking into the hockey rink after hours. We're even." Americus stepped closer. "Come on. Let's go home."
Silver looked back at the ice one more time. Empty. Perfect. Cold.
"Okay," she whispered.
