Page 20

“Just two more years, Evie—two more years, and we’re out of here. Then we can do what we always do.”

Smirking, I ask, “And what’s that?”

“Total world domination, of course. How else will our memories flourish long after we’re rosebush food?”

“Your level of dork never ceases to amaze me.”

Farrah reaches for my hand and squeezes it, drawing my attention back to her. Then, she lifts her shades, her demeanor more serious than moments ago.

“We’re still here—together. Her fingers trace over the scars on my inner forearm. The one that symbolizes one of my darkest moments.

I fight not to tug my hand away as shame washes over me like acid, bubbling until I’m nothing… until I feel nothing.

“You never have to hide from me, Evie. We’re sisters—your pain is my pain, your struggles… your seeds of doubt— I’ll carry your burdens until you are strong enough to face them head-on.”

I blink, shaking off the memory.

You’ve got this, Eva Rose.

I try to pump myself up.

But do I really?

Wiping at my eyes, I work to control my breathing. I knew today would be hard. The beginning of classes loomed like a Doomsday clock, ticking louder as time drew nearer.

I just wasn’t prepared for how overwhelming my emotions would be.

Sighing, I put my hair up, pausing to peer at myself in the mirror. My makeup feels like war paint, shielding the parts of me I never want to be noticed… covering battle wounds of wars that rage on endlessly, all while showing you survived. I only wish it could protect the scars unseen… the ones that anchor you to the bottom of the sea while you desperately claw for the surface.

“Eva, girl, are you coming?” Jade shouts, shaking me from my morose musings.

“Coming,” I exclaim before I take one last look. Then, I spin, grab my backpack off my desk, and stride into the living room.

My suitemates are standing by the front door when I step into view.

“One of these days, you’ll be ready before we are,” Paisley jokes as we exit our suite.

Jade snorts. “Sure, it’ll be the same day you can decide on an outfit in less than two hours.”

Paisley gasps, and we all laugh, easing some of the tension in my shoulders.

Camiel bumps my shoulder. “You good?”

“Just first-day jitters,” I admit. It’s a half-truth, but it’s better than saying, ‘No, I’m living the life that my best friend would’ve if I hadn’t killed her.’ I don’t honestly think that conversation would go very well.

“You have Physics now, right?” Camiel inquires.

Nodding, I reply, “Yup. Then I have Art History.”

“Bet. I have it, too. We can sit together,” Camiel says.

“Me too,” Jade chimes. “So we can be study buddies.”

We continue to talk as we walk down the hallway, making plans and discussing our upcoming game before we exit the building, and the oppressive Texas air smacks us in the face.

“Fuck,” Ayana, one of our volleyball teammates, blurts when she stops beside us. “There is just something about the heat down here that feels different.” She has Art History with me later today, but we all agreed to meet up to walk together.

“Wait, isn’t your family from Ethiopia?” Paisley asks. “I thought since it’s close to the equator, it’s always hot.”