Elise sat curled on her bed, pretending to study but really just tracing the same line in her book over and over. Her thoughts wouldn't stay still.
A knock on the door pulled her out of her spiral. When she opened it, Anastasia and Patricia slipped inside, both carrying unusually serious expressions.
"Elise," Anastasia began, perching on the edge of the bed, "we need to talk."
Elise frowned. "About what?"
Patricia crossed her arms. "About Davon."
Immediately, Elise stiffened. "I already told him—I don't want him interfering in my life."
Patricia raised an eyebrow. "That may be, but… you really hurt him, you know."
Elise blinked. "Hurt him?"
Anastasia nodded quickly, her usual bright energy dimmed with worry. "Elise, he even cried."
Elise froze, her breath catching in her throat. She stared at them in disbelief. "H-he… cried?"
Anastasia nodded again, softly this time. "I saw it with my own eyes. He looked completely broken after you told him never to cross paths with you again."
Patricia's gaze was firm but not unkind. "You act like he's untouchable, Elise, but he's not. He's… human in his own way. You cut him deep."
Elise sat back slowly, her chest tightening. Davon cried? The thought rattled her, clashing with the image of the untouchable, cold boy everyone else admired and feared.
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I didn't know… I didn't think…"
Anastasia leaned closer. "Maybe you should talk to him. Just to clear the air. It doesn't have to mean anything more."
Patricia glanced at Elise, her eyes narrowing. "And another thing. Have you noticed Ellie acting… off? Something about her doesn't sit right. I'd be careful around her."
Elise's brows furrowed. Ellie? Her friend from biology? She shook her head, but the seed of doubt was planted.
Could Davon have been right all along?
She hugged her arms around herself, whispering just loud enough for them to hear: "Maybe… I should have listened."