The house felt fuller the next morning, even after everyone left.
Laughter from the night before still echoed in small ways. Cards lay half stacked on the table. Erin's hug replayed too, the way it reached everyone except me. I stayed where I was. I let it pass.
At school, Lunara found me before first period.
"Rehearsals start tomorrow," she said. "Be early."
"Tomorrow?" I asked.
She nodded. "Don't disappear on me."
If anything, I was excited.
After classes, we stayed back for practice. The field was loud in that familiar way. Music cut in and out. Girls called across the grass. Bags dropped wherever there was space. Someone joked about how we always took the trophy. Someone else said, "Same routine as last year."
I stayed near the edges at first.
Helping came easily. Holding things. Counting beats. Passing water bottles. I liked having something to do.
Lunara slipped back into the center without hesitation. Another girl looped an arm around her shoulder as they laughed about something I hadn't heard. I didn't feel left out. Just reminded.
Sera leaned in to whisper something to the girl beside her. I caught only the end and smiled anyway.
For a second, I thought about Miren.
The music restarted. The girls moved together, sharp and sure. When they landed the next formation cleanly, the cheer rose all at once. I clapped before I realized I was smiling.
It felt familiar.
While we packed up, Lunara was tying loose ribbons when my name carried across the field.
"Cala?"
I turned. Aisling stood a few steps away, phone in hand.
"How are you getting home?"
Before I answered, Miren said, "I'll drop her."
It was said easily.
I nodded, surprised by how natural it felt.
Phones buzzed as Lunara created a new group chat. Screens lit up. Laughter followed. I reached for my bag out of habit and remembered.
A small ache surfaced. Then passed.
Walking home later, I realized I hadn't thought about the house once. I was lighter. Less careful.
That was why I didn't brace when I got back.
My room was quiet. My shoes landed where they always did. And then I saw it.
My phone was on the bed.
Face down.
I stood there longer than I meant to.
The warmth from earlier faded. I picked it up slowly.
I sat on the edge of the bed, phone in my hand, and wondered how easily I had forgotten everything for a while.