Nova stepped through the school gates like nothing had happened.
Her uniform was perfect. Her hair was smooth. Her eyes were steady.
But she didn't laugh at Max's dumb jokes in the morning.
She didn't roll her eyes at Ryder's sarcasm.
She didn't even flinch when Darian snapped at a boy who got too close.
She just walked. Quiet. Cold.
And everyone noticed.
Especially one person.
Zane cornered her after third period.
He wasn't smiling either.
"Where were you?" he asked, voice low.
Nova glanced at the students swarming around them. "Busy."
"Too busy to answer my texts? Or Jules's? Or Troy's? He was worried."
She met his eyes. "I didn't mean to ignore you."
Zane frowned. "But you did."
There was silence between them.
And then Zane stepped closer. "You're scared."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are," he said. "And you're trying to act like you're not. Like always."
Nova's fingers curled at her sides.
"Why are you pushing everyone away?" he asked.
"Because if I don't," she said sharply, "someone else will."
Zane's expression froze.
Then softened.
"You're not alone, Nova."
She blinked fast, the hallway blurring for just a second.
Then she turned away. "I have to get to class."
But even as she walked off, Zane called out behind her—
"You don't have to fight whatever this is by yourself."
Nova didn't answer.
Because maybe she didn't know how to fight it at all.
Not yet.