Three months later, the start of senior year.
Maya stood at the entrance of Pacific Elite, watching students return from summer break. The campus looked the same but felt different. Lighter. Free from the shadow Madison had cast for so long.
Zoe appeared beside her, rolling a suitcase. "Ready for senior year?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
They'd spent most of summer at campus for training. Maya working with the team to prepare for defending their championship. Zoe interning with the IT department, officially this time, no more hacking required.
It had been peaceful. Normal. Everything Maya had wanted.
"Heard from Madison?" Zoe asked as they walked toward North Hall.
"Nothing since that last threat text. You?"
"Radio silence. Her trial's scheduled for October. She's probably focused on that." Zoe shrugged. "Either way, she's not our problem anymore."
They unpacked in their suite, the same one from last semester. Their space. Their home.
