I don’t move. I can’t. The room feels smaller by the second, like the walls are closing in on me, forcing me to take in every sound, every breath, every heartbeat. I stand near the door, frozen, watching everyone else move as if through water. “Please, Miss Perkins,” the headmistress says gently, “have a seat. Next to Mr. Mongroove, if you would.” I blink once, then twice, before my body finally obeys. My legs feel like they don’t belong to me as I walk toward the chair beside Alex. He slides his chair back just a little to give me space, a silent gesture that steadies me more than words ever could. As I sit, my eyes drift toward Ruby. She’s standing near the desk, arms folded, looking calm—too calm. Her expression carries the same unshakable confidence I’ve always envied in people like her. “Miss Padre,” the headmistress says, “if you would present your evidence.”Evidence?Why would Ruby have any kind of evidence? Ruby nods once, pulling her phone from her pocket with a q
Last Updated : 2025-10-17 Read more