Third-person POV
The gates of Elysium Girls High rose ahead of them, tall and pale, just as they always had. Wide iron bars framed the entrance, decorated with carvings that were meant to look welcoming rather than imposing. The school grounds beyond were green and open, familiar paths winding between old stone buildings and trimmed gardens, but nothing about this felt welcoming.
Seraphina walked a half step behind Electra, her eyes fixed on the side of Electra's face like she was afraid to blink and miss something important. Irina, Penelope, and Roxana flanked them, their usual ease completely gone. All four of them were tense, shoulders tight, and expressions sharp.
Electra noticed. She noticed everything, even if she didn't comment on it.
The way their eyes kept flicking to her, as if she might suddenly explode, the way their footsteps unconsciously adjusted to match hers, and the way the air around them felt heavier, like the school itself was holding its breath.
