After class, we spilled out into the hallway.
Alia looped her arm through mine. Violet walked on my other side.
"So," Alia said, lowering her voice as we stepped outside. "You've been quiet since class. What's going on in that head?"
I hesitated.
"I think I know who messed with my conditioner," I finally said.
Both of them stopped walking.
Violet's brows lifted. "Oh?"
Alia tilted her head. "Who?"
I swallowed. "Seb."
The word felt wrong as soon as it left my mouth.
Alia blinked. "Seb?"
She actually laughed. "Sebastian Cole? The sweet one? The apologizes-for-everything one?"
"I know how it sounds," I said quickly. "I just….he handed me my textbook today. And his fingers had green paint on them. The same shade. I noticed it. I can't stop thinking about it."
Alia frowned. "But you told me he was nice."
"He is," I said. "That's what's messing with me."
Alia crossed her arms. "Okay, but think about this. What would he gain from humiliating you? He defends you. He checks on you. That doesn't add up."
"I don't know," I admitted. "I just don't want to be stupid again."
Violet's eyes sparkled with something mischievous. "Or," she said slowly, "maybe he likes you."
I scoffed immediately. "No. Please don't."
"I'm serious," she pressed. "He came all the way back just to give you your textbook. He also complimented you. That's effort."
Alia smirked. "Ouuuuu…"
I rolled my eyes. "Still not cool enough for conditioner sabotage."
"True," Alia said, laughing. Then her expression shifted. "Which is why you need a distraction."
I glanced at her. "What kind of distraction?"
"There's a party this weekend," she said. "You should come."
My stomach tightened.
"I don't know," I said quietly. "Parties aren't really my thing anymore."
Violet softened. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Just show up, eat snacks, and judge outfits."
Alia nodded. "And there'll be other guys. Cute ones. Ones not named Cole."
I let out a small laugh, trying to mask the nervous tension in my stomach. Other guys not named Cole… that's comforting, I guess.
"I deserve a second chance," I exhaled. "I'll ask my mom."
Alia grinned. "That's my girl."
We started walking again.
"So," Violet added casually, "can we talk about Big D Davidson?"
Alia groaned. "Absolutely not."
"What?" Violet shrugged. "He's annoying, but… kind of cute."
I laughed despite the chaos in my head. "You have terrible taste."
"Debatable," she shot back, flicking her hair.
⸻
That night, after dinner, I curled up on my mom's bed. She sat on the edge of the bed, folding laundry, just to keep her hands busy.
"I've missed your voice," she whispered. "God, Evelyn… I've missed it so much."
My throat tightened. "I didn't mean to scare you," I said. "I just….everything got too heavy. The words felt stuck."
She pulled back just enough to look at me. "Are you okay now? I mean, are you okay here?"
I hesitated.
"If you're not," she added quickly, "we don't have to stay anymore. We can leave. I'll figure something out. I promise."
"No," I said, a little too fast. Then I slowed myself. "It's really not bad. I mean… the house is fine. Mr Cole is also kind."
"And the boys?" she asked gently.
I exhaled. "They don't really like my presence."
She nodded, like she'd already guessed that much.
"Especially Alex," I added. "I think he hates me."
Her mouth tightened. "Kids act out when they don't know how to process change."
"Well," I muttered, "he's processing it very loudly."
That earned a small smile from her.
"At least Sebastien is nice," she said, softly.
Something twisted in my chest immediately after.
My mom noticed.
"Is he not?" she looked curious.
"He's… different," I said, shrugging. "That's all."
She didn't press.
Instead, she reached for my hand and squeezed it. "I'm proud of you, you know. For not shutting the world out completely."
I swallowed. "I made friends," I said. "Two girls. Alia and Violet."
Her face lit up. "You did?"
"Yeah. And they invited me to a party this weekend."
I rushed the next part. "I haven't decided yet. I just wanted to ask you."
"I'm happy," she smiled softly. "I'm so happy you're making friends again."
"You are?" I asked, surprised. "You're not… worried?"
"Of course I'm worried," she said. "That's my job. But I don't want fear to be the thing that raises you. You should go to the party. If you want to go."
I stared at her. "Really? I thought you'd say no. After everything that happened. After everything I caused."
"That's exactly why I'm saying yes," she said firmly. "I was too hard on you. You were hurting, not misbehaving. And I need you to know this….none of that made me love you less."
"I love you so much," she said. "More than you'll ever understand."
I leaned into her, resting ny head on her shoulder.
After a moment, I murmured, "Can I sleep in here tonight?"
She chuckled softly. "You still have bad dreams?"
"Worse," I said. "I don't want to wake up with a rodent on my bed. Or green dye in my shampoo."
She laughed softly. "It's temporary dye. It's already starting to wear off."
"Thank goodness."
I crawled in beside her, feeling lighter than I had in days, finally letting myself relax.