Bella’s POV
“Keep it to yourself,” I said quickly. “Please.”
“Hey, no judgment here.” She held up her hands. “If anything, you’ve just made things more interesting around here.”
We sat in silence for a bit. Then she said, “You hungry?”
I laughed softly. “Always.”
“I saved a pack of crackers from dinner. Wanna split?”
“Please.”
We shared the crackers like they were a royal feast. It wasn’t much, but sitting beside someone who didn’t look at me like I was insane or dangerous… it made things a little easier to bear.
That night, I lay on the bunk staring at the ceiling, listening to June’s steady breathing. For the first time in days, I didn’t feel completely alone.
And I had no idea what tomorrow would bring. But I knew I’d face it. Somehow.
***
Sunlight spilled through the window, warming my face. I blinked, groaning softly as my body reminded me of every ache from the day before. The mattress beneath me wasn’t soft, but it beat the cold concrete of an alley.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhea
