SERAPHINA’S POV
After that lovely interaction in the locker room, I threw myself into training.
I wasn’t stupid enough to think that would be the last I heard of Jessica or the whispers, and I was determined to be able to put my money where my mouth was.
So I pushed myself, harder than usual. By the time we were done, every ounce of strength had been wrung from me, leaving my body humming with fatigue—but my mind was still taut with the restless need to keep going.
But as I pushed myself up, ready to go another round of drills, Maya the Tormentor disappeared, and I got my best friend back.
And then she suggested we go on a shopping run.
I was just happy to see a smile that wasn’t immediately followed by, “Good. Now run that again a hundred times,” so I didn’t hesitate.
She bounced on her toes as if she hadn’t just run drills in the sun all morning, her braided ponytail swinging like she was part of a commercial.
I envied that boundless energy. My own legs felt like lead.
