"Heidi!" Val calls over the noise again.
Sighing, Heidi turns halfway, catching her friend still jogging after her.
The latter skids to a stop, panting. "Wait up, damn it! You can't just walk off like that!"
Heidi crosses her arms, trying to keep her tone light even though her insides feel like melting lead. "I'm fine, Val. Really. Just need five minutes to breathe and maybe not punch someone today."
Val narrows her eyes. "You promise you'll come to the interview?"
Heidi nods, though it feels like a lie even as she says it.
"I promise."
Val studies her for a second longer, searching for the truth, maybe, or the old spark Heidi had before the world turned her into a rumor. Then she sighs, shoulders slumping. "You're one difficult girl."
Heidi smirks faintly. "You're just realizing that?"
Val groans, turns, and jogs back toward the others. Heidi watches her go, feeling a strange twist in her chest that she doesn't have the energy to name.
