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“Were you that wasted? Jade questions, passing me a glass of water and two ibuprofen.

I try to think back. I know I had three jello shots and one cup of jungle juice.

“Shit,” I mutter. “I ate the fruit.”

“Yes, bitch.You ate the fruit,” Paisley teases. “Luckily, not enough to need your stomach pumped, but just enough that you’ll need shades to walk around campus.

I flop back down on my bed and instantly regret it. My brain feels like it’s reverberating off my skull.

“Rise and grind, Eva. Didn’t you say you need to go to the Registar’s office to switch a class?” Camiel inquires, yanking my blinds open.

Hissing, I cover my face with my…herpillow. I have to fight my urge to cry. They don’t smell like her anymore.

I’m half tempted to call Mrs. Jacobi to see if there’s anything of Farrah’s left that I can have. Absentmindedly, I reach for the necklace hanging around my neck. Its rose gold metal is cool against my chest.

Inhale Eva Rose… inhale.

Of course, I can’t call her. I’m the last person she’d want to hear from. The girl who caused her precious daughter…my best friend… to kill herself.

Focus.

I listen to the sounds around me. The girls are talking. My heart is racing, and the woeful melody of a bird sounds outside my cracked window.

Lifting the pillow, I peer right and see a grayish-blue dove with black spots on its wings.

Is that you, Farrah? Have you come to see me?

Shaking my head, I sigh. It’s not her. I know this. Why would she visit me of all people? Unless maybe she’s here to haunt me… to make sure I endure endless sadness.

Just as you deserve.

“So, are you going to move your ass or stare off into space for the next millennia?” Jade quips, and I offer her an appreciative smile, grateful that her words pull me back into the present.

Huffing, I roll from my bed and stand, pausing to maintain my equilibrium.

“Fine. Give me fifteen minutes to shower and eat something, then we can go,” I state, skulking off to my bathroom.

Massaging the bridge of my nose, I try not to lose my patience with the woman behind the counter. I know it’s not her fault that my schedule was fucked with, but that doesn’t make me any less annoyed.

“I’m sorry, Miss Pierce. It says here,” she turns her monitor, “that you’ve changed your computer science course to American Society and Politics.”

She’s pointing to where my signature is, but I know I didn’t switch classes. I wanted to get the course out of the way during my first year so I could focus on my major-required classes.

“And you’re sure I can’t switch it back? We’re still well within the add/drop period.” I try, already knowing the answer.

“Unfortunately, the computer science course is already at capacity. However, if someone drops it before the end of the enrollment period, you’d be able to possibly switch.”

Shutting my eyes, I dig my nails into my palms until the blissful feel of pain settles me.

“Mason and Liam Bradley,” someone shouts, but I don’t look to see who it is or who they’ve called.

I could easily call my mother. I could even throw around the power that comes with being a Pierce, but I don’t want to be the cunty Karen that complains.

“Is there anyone I can talk to? Maybe I can swap to another one of my required courses.”

Her smile brightens. “Yes. If you have a seat over there.” She points behind me. “I will have one of the academic advisors call you back shortly.”

Nodding, I stride for the couch the furthest from the window.