Kimi's POV
After spending hours buried in textbooks at the library, I headed toward the cafeteria to catch up with my friends.
The walk across campus felt longer than usual. Every few steps, I caught guys stealing glances in my direction. Their stares made my skin crawl. I quickened my pace, keeping my eyes focused straight ahead. Why couldn't they just mind their own business?
The familiar buzz of the cafeteria welcomed me as I pushed through the glass doors. I spotted my friends immediately at our usual corner table and felt my shoulders relax for the first time all day.
"There she is," I said, approaching them with a genuine smile.
Bennett looked up from his steaming coffee cup. "Kimi, where have you been hiding? We've been here for twenty minutes."
I slid into the empty chair beside Olive, who immediately pushed a coffee cup in my direction. The warm ceramic felt perfect against my palms.
"Library duty," I replied, taking a grateful sip. "You know how it is."
