Wednesday began like the days before: whispers, stares, giggles.
But Lina noticed something shifting inside her.
The fear was still there – heavy as a stone – but underneath it, something else was growing.
Something small. Persistent. A flame.
She walked through the hallway, notebook pressed to her chest, heart pounding, but she no longer lowered her gaze.
The voices bounced off her like droplets on glass.
"Well, well, Mermaid."
Jana stood against the wall, phone in hand, the screen bright. A still image from the Hall.
Alaric, bloody. Lina beside him.
Jana tilted her head, as if observing an animal in a cage.
"Was that your big moment?" she cooed. "I didn't know you were doing ring girls now."
Mia giggled shrilly. "Just missing the bikini top."
A few students laughed hesitantly. Others simply looked away.
Lina stopped walking.
She took one deep breath, so deep it hurt her chest.
Then she lifted her head.
"You're boring," she said.
