"Whoa." Pia's voice cut through the clatter.
Zephany blinked and looked up.
Pia was standing next to her desk, hands on her hips, wearing her usual oversized jacket over her pencil skirt. Her hair was still damp from the morning shower. "Did you get into a bar fight or did you just time-travel to Monday morning without caffeine?"
Zephany tried to smile. Failed.
Pia's expression dropped immediately. "Wait, are you alright?"
Zephany opened her mouth. Closed it. Then sighed.
"I don't know," she said quietly.
That took Pia aback. "Okay, hold on." She dragged the guest chair from the next cubicle and plopped herself down. "What happened? Spill."
Zephany hesitated. Her fingers curled around the hem of her cardigan.
"Will you hate me," she said slowly, "if you find out I'm not exactly the person you think I am?"
Pia blinked. "What?"
Zephany looked at her, eyes serious but tired. "I mean it."
