Evaline:
I kept my eyes glued to the scenery outside the car window, doing everything I could to not fidget.
The world beyond the glass was looking like it had been dusted with powdered sugar - white snow clinging to rooftops, tree branches, and the empty roads. The forest we passed through was quiet and hauntingly beautiful beneath the soft gray sky. Still, no matter how pretty it was, it did nothing to calm the anxious rhythm pounding in my chest.
Instead of heading to Council Headquarters like usual, I was picked up directly from the Academy that morning. River was already seated in the sleek black car when I climbed in, sipping black coffee and scrolling through his tablet. Now, over half an hour into the journey, we hadn't spoken a single word... until he finally broke the silence.
"Why are you so anxious?"
