The morning light filtered through the dorm curtains like a reluctant visitor, casting pale stripes across my bed.
I woke slowly, my body heavy, as if the night had pressed down on me like a weight I couldn't shake.
The white rose from last night lay crushed on my nightstand, petals bruised and wilted, a stark reminder that the quiet wasn't peace, it was something waiting to shatter.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, but the exhaustion clung like fog. I felt drained, like someone had siphoned the energy from my bones while I slept.
The doubt about Lysander, the sudden apology from Maddox, the eerie silence from the chaos and now a white rose from an unknown…..all piled up, leaving me hollow.
Lesley was already up, perched on her bed with a mug of instant coffee and scrolling her phone.
She looked up when I stirred, her face softening. "You okay? You tossed a lot last night."
