The girls prepared and left for school early that day and quickly separated into Thier various class.
The bell rang, sharp and final, and the classroom came alive with chatter and scraping chairs. Mia was instantly surrounded by a small cluster of girls, all eager to plan the afternoon.
"Coffee shop?" Clara suggested, twirling her pen between her fingers. "They've got that new caramel blend."
"Or we could hit the library," Lena added, grinning. "Pretend to study, end up gossiping like always."
Mia smirked. "You mean gossiping about everyone in the library. Big difference."
Ava sat at the edge of the group, her bag already slung over her shoulder. She tried to focus on the easy laughter around her, but her mind wasn't here — not in this classroom, not with their plans. The weight of the Moretti house still pressed against her, shadows trailing her even into the bright light of campus.
"So, Ava?" Clara turned to her. "You in?"
All eyes fell on her. For a moment, she almost said yes. Almost let herself sink into something normal, into coffee and laughter and girls her own age. But the thought of returning late to the house — to their watchful eyes — sent a chill down her spine.
"I can't," Ava said quickly, forcing a smile. "I promised a professor I'd help sort some files. Extra credit, you know."
Lena groaned. "You and your work ethic."
Mia tilted her head, studying her cousin with a look that saw more than Ava wanted. "Another time, then," she said softly.
The girls didn't question further, already spinning new ideas and teasing one another as they filed out together.
Ava lingered at the back, watching them disappear down the hallway — their laughter echoing like something far away. She adjusted the strap of her bag and turned in the opposite direction, her steps quieter, her excuse a shield she clutched tightly.
Because sometimes, lies were safer than the truth.