Pauline's POV
Thank goodness Arnold and Windsor had helped me find my center again. The storm inside me had finally quieted to a manageable whisper. They never pressed me for explanations about my breakdown, and I was grateful for their silent understanding.
Whether I had truly healed or simply convinced myself I was fine remained unclear. Either way, I planned to lock those dark thoughts away and carry them to my grave.
The downside of my newfound stability was how rarely Windsor and I crossed paths anymore. Our class schedules had shifted like tectonic plates, leaving us with only fleeting moments in the dining hall before we scattered to our separate academic worlds. I ached for those comfortable walks we used to share after lectures, the easy rhythm of our friendship that had anchored me through so much chaos.
