Lyra's POV
"Please!" Poppy pleaded with me, her hands clasped together dramatically. "It's literally her first day at the university. Do you honestly believe she'll show up at some random party tonight?"
I rubbed my temples in frustration. We'd been going in circles for thirty minutes straight, and Poppy's persistence was wearing me down completely.
"This isn't about Octavia," I repeated for what felt like the thousandth time. "I just don't want to go back to that ridiculous house filled with those awful people."
"But this time will be completely different," Poppy insisted, her voice taking on that hopeful tone again. "We're bringing our own beverages. Ash promised he'd keep watch, and Vancroft won't even be there."
"That doesn't guarantee other people won't try pulling the same disgusting stunt," I said, covering my face with both hands. "Honestly, Poppy. All I'm craving right now is curling up with my cheesy romance book and getting some sleep."
