LOGINVedant She’s not there when I return.A part of me had hoped against the odds that Chiara would still be there when I got back despite the late hour. But of course she’s not. She has a life outside of me.But what’s still there—and might be of some comfort to me—is my father’s liquor cabinet.Well,
Vedant I can’t believe that I’m back here already. Just hours ago, I had been here with Chiara. And in my mind, Iris had been alive.So much has changed, but I’m right back where I started the day. This time, though, I ask for where my father is when I arrive at the front desk.The nurse directs me
“Chiara,” I say. “Are you ok? Do you need something?”She shakes her head. “No. I’m fine.”But the truth is plainly different. She is burdened by something I can’t place.“Is there anything I can do? I know you must still be hurting–”“It’s not that,” she says, cutting me off.I blink. “Then what is
Chiara Vedant’s shoulders are slumped when he opens the door. His eyes are shadowed and unfocused, like he’s been drinking. It’s strange to see him like this when he’s always been so controlled and steady.But now he looks like something inside him has collapsed.I straighten at the sight of him, w
Vedant I go to the one place I know I still can return. Home. Even though I know my laptop is waiting for me there, devoid of any new messages from Iris. Because there will never be any new messages from her. Not anymore.Iris is dead.My chest still feels like it’s been cracked open, like someone
Vedant “What’s wrong?” Chiara’s worry is potent, and I feel immediately bad for causing her any additional harm while she’s recovering.“I, um…” I struggle to find the words. Are there even words to describe this? “I have to go.”I know I’m being abrupt, but I can’t have her see me like this. It’s
He looks startled. “I didn’t say I—”But I’m already grabbing my crutch, my ankle protesting as I limp toward the hallway. I’m hurrying despite the pain; I need to leave this room and escape his scutinous attention. All of the sudden, it’s too much.“Forget it,” I say. “Next time, I’ll let you figur
VedantI return home after rescuing Chiara from her own stupidity once again. What is it with that girl? She always seems to land herself in the worst positions.I shrug as I push my way through my front door. It doesn’t matter. I just wish the bond would stop alerting me.I walk through the foyer a
The morning announcements start as I unpack my back, but I barely hear them. Instead, I am trying my best to tune out the continued whispers of my classmates. I pull my notebook from my bag and start to doodle, drawing small curls with my pencil.I do my best to get lost in it, to forget what everyo
The rest of the school day is agonizing. I find myself checking the clock over and over again, growing more and more dismayed when I see how quickly the time is passing. Before I know it the final bell sounds.I suppress a groan and peel myself out of my seat. I look at Vedant in the row above gathe







