The final hours dragged like shadows across the day. Lina heard teachers speaking without understanding. Words passed her by, numbers blurred on the paper. On the page in her notebook were only lines, no sentences.
And again and again, Alaric's voice echoed in her head: "I don't fight because I want to. I fight because I have to."
The clock on the wall ticked too loudly. Each strike felt as if it were holding her back while the day crept forward.
When the final bell rang, she looked for Giulia. She knew where to find her—at the wall at the edge of the courtyard, where ivy half-devoured the stones.
Giulia stood there, hands in her pockets, her purple-dyed hair waving in the wind. It was as if she had been waiting for Lina.
"Well, mermaid." Giulia's voice was mocking, but not sharp. "Looking for someone?"
"You," said Lina.
Giulia grinned crookedly. "Oh. Guess it's my turn then."
"I need to know something."
"About whom?" asked Giulia, but knowledge already lay in her eyes.
