Valeska straightened the part of her clothes Amora had wrinkled with her grip. Her head remained low, eyes fixed on the ground. She couldn't bring herself to meet the stares of those who had just witnessed her at one of her weakest moments.
Later that day, she kept herself busy—attending classes, pretending to smile, and finally meeting up with Armeline, a human friend she held dearly.
"So, Val, how did you spend your holiday?" Armeline asked, sipping from her iced latte. With her platinum blonde hair and glacial blue eyes, she looked almost otherworldly—like a goddess hiding in plain sight.
Valeska flinched at the word holiday.
She hadn't had one.
"It was fine," she lied, forcing a small smile.
Armeline noticed the subtle tension in her shoulders and opened her mouth to probe further—but a familiar voice cut in.
"Well, well… what are my two favorite ladies chatting about?"
They both turned.
Casper.
Another human. Another friend.
