Lena's pov
The pounding in my chest was deafening as I slipped through the crowded hallways, clutching the USB tightly in my palm. Every footstep echoed like a warning, every shadow a potential threat. The sirens in the distance were getting closer, and I knew I couldn't afford to be caught now.
I pushed open a side door and slipped into the cool night air, the campus quiet and still compared to the chaos inside. The cold breeze hit my face, sharpening my senses. I needed to get somewhere safe—somewhere I could finally breathe.
Back inside, Ethan scanned the room, eyes searching, brows furrowed. When he realized I was gone, unease settled over his features. He stepped outside, looking around, calling my name softly.
"Lena?" His voice was filled with concern.
I hesitated, the weight of the secret pressing down harder than ever. I wanted to tell him the truth—to explain the danger, the mission, everything. But the words caught in my throat.
"I'm here," I said, stepping into the moonlight, forcing a calm smile.
He rushed over, his eyes searching mine. "What happened in there? You looked… different. Like something was wrong."
I shook my head quickly. "Just needed some air. It's a lot to take in."
He didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. Instead, he slipped his hand into mine, grounding me.
For a moment, I let myself pretend this was just a normal night — two people pretending to be in love, navigating a world of parties and dances.
But beneath the surface, the danger was real. The mission was far from over.
And the choices I'd made tonight would echo long after the music stopped.