Evaline:
The room started feeling quieter after Rowan took his leave first while I stayed behind. And with him gone, I noticed that Oscar's presence was different now - more muted, like the snowflakes still clinging to the window panes.
I stayed near the tall glass, my eyes following the way the late afternoon light softened as it spilled across the snow-covered grounds of the Academy. The reflection was almost too bright to look at directly, so I let my gaze blur, losing myself in the stillness of it.
I didn't even realize Oscar had finished locking his office door until I heard the soft tread of his boots approaching. My heartbeats picked up their pace just a little, but I didn't move. The silence stretched until I found myself whispering, "Thank you… for helping Rowan."
