LOGINJOSHUAWe’ve been sitting on this bus for two hours now and I’m starting to get impatient. It’s 4:30 p.m. and the sun is going to set in about ten minutes. Apparently that fact plays an important role in our destination. Daniela hasn’t given me any other hint about where we’re going besides that.We haven’t talked much during the ride—just shared earbuds and listened to music while I watch Daniela’s reflection in the window as she reads the book she brought.— We’re here. — she says excitedly, closing her book and putting it away in her bag.— Finally. — I reply, pausing the music and taking out the earbud before putting it away and stepping off the bus.It’s cold outside and the wind feels stronger today. Good thing Daniela and I are bundled up in our jackets, gloves, and masks. I stretch my back and legs to wake my body up after sitting for so long.— We’re here?I look around—exposed brick buildings, small restaurants, and hardly anyone walking by, but nothing really stands out. I’
JOSHUA— So, what’s really going on with you, Freddie? — I ask.We’re all sitting side by side on the floor of my room, backs against the bed.I’d already talked to Anthony beforehand about bringing it up with Freddie after what happened yesterday, but in the first hour he was here we couldn’t find the right moment or the right words, so I decided to just cut to the chase.— This is about yesterday, isn’t it? — he asks, not even bothering to play dumb.— Yeah. What’s actually going on between you and Logan? — Anthony asks.— Nothing’s going on. We just… — He looks stressed and can’t even finish a sentence.— Is our question making you that uncomfortable? — I ask, honestly not expecting this kind of reaction from him.— Can you guys promise you won’t change the way you act around me if I tell you? — He sits up straighter and grabs a decorative pillow from the bed, hugging it to his lap.— Why would we change? Unless you murdered someone, I don’t see any reason we’d start treating you d
JOSHUAI shift uncomfortably on the soft beige couch, feeling out of place at Priscila’s birthday party.I was surprised, to say the least, when Daniela told me that Priscila wanted me and the guys to be here. Don’t get me wrong—Daniela’s friends are cool and… well, most of them are fine—but I don’t really consider them my friends.Besides Daniela, the only other person here I could actually see myself being friends with is Logan. The rest are nice company, but that’s about it. For example, I can’t imagine randomly texting Luna to grab coffee and have a deep conversation.Personality-wise, I don’t really click with any of them. Priscila, Luna, Kayro, and even Ryan are all way more open, loud, and extroverted than I am. I’m much quieter, I don’t like going to big parties or clubs, and I don’t talk much.So I have no idea why Priscila invited me, Freddie, and Anthony. Maybe she sees us as friends, or maybe she just enjoys our company. The only reason I’m here is because I didn’t want to
JOSHUAThe soft coconut scent enveloping my senses keeps me calm.I don’t know how long I’ve been lying here, awake, thinking about everything. I didn’t bother checking the time when I woke up. The lack of windows in this room also makes it harder for me to tell what time it is.I keep running my fingers through Daniela’s soft strands of hair while I lie awake beside her. This couch isn’t the most comfortable place to sleep, but strangely enough, I had one of the best nights of sleep in my life. I didn’t wake up once during the night, and I didn’t have any nightmares either. Actually, I didn’t dream about anything at all—and that’s exactly how I prefer it.At first, I was nervous about sharing sleeping space with Daniela, and part of me thought she might feel the same way, which is why I offered to go to another room. But deep down I knew that if I did, I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I’d probably stay up all night, tossing and turning in every possible position, trying to get comfortabl
DANIELA— Ugh, I’m so done with this. I can’t study anymore. — Ryan complains while we’re sitting in the library, working on our final assignments for this semester.The holidays came and went in the blink of an eye, and now we’re back to fearing life and questioning our decision to go to university. Maybe we should have chosen part-time studies, but whatever, we’re pushing through this year full throttle.It’s already been two weeks since we welcomed the new year, and all I’ve done is study and study even more. I have two assignments due this month; I handed one in a few days ago, and now I’m working on the last one, which is due next week.— I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I agree with you. — Logan says, pushing his keyboard away so he can rest his head on the table.— Same here. — Freddie adds, tossing his pen onto the table and watching it roll to the edge before it falls to the floor. — This is such bullshit. — he mutters, bending down to pick it up.We had planned for eve
JOSHUAThis place is way less crowded than the last party we went to, and I already prefer this one.The music isn’t too loud, so you can actually hear the other person clearly without having to shout or speak into their ear. The lighting is low, but you can still see everything, and there are no annoying flashing lights that hurt your eyes after a while.The party is happening in one of the common areas of the student association building, so there are sofas around, two pool tables, and drinks on the side table. The sofas have been pushed back to create more space for people to dance.“So, who exactly is this party for?” I ask Daniela while she sips her orange juice.“It’s a party my class organized just for us. It’s mostly for the international students who couldn’t go home or chose to stay here, but everyone in our class is welcome and we can bring plus-ones, so that’s how we got in,” she says, looking around the place.“That’s really cool,” I murmur.“Hey, gorgeous, long time no s
LUNAThe bang of the shot echoed in the cube, and for a moment, my brain refused to process what had happened. All I could see was Ace stumbling backward, his hand going straight to his leg.“Ace...?” My voice came out as a shaky whisper, but as soon as I saw the red spreading across the gray sweat
ACEThe sound of the heart monitor was annoying.Beep. Beep. Beep.That constant rhythm dragged me back to consciousness, even when I wanted to stay in the dark for a few more seconds. My breathing was heavy, as if someone was sitting on my chest.I blinked, the brightness of the room blinding me f
BOBThe food at this hospital was a joke.“I said I was hungry, Ícaro... not keen on getting poisoned by this slop,” I grumbled, pushing the tray aside. If it were me, I would've smuggled a sandwich for him. You're on my enemy list, Ícaro. “It tastes like wet cardboard.”Ícaro, as usual, didn't mov
ACELuna was sitting in the corner of the mattress, legs drawn up, her gaze fixed on some invisible spot on the floor. Since she woke up in that damn glass cube and Henrique left, she hadn't said more than a few words. I couldn't blame her. I couldn't even organize my own thoughts.The only thing I







