Adrian stared at his phone, reading Priya's text over and over.
James had a breakdown. Like a real one. He's in the hospital.
His hands were shaking.
"Adrian? You okay?" Dante appeared beside him, concern written across his face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"It's James. My research partner. He—" Adrian couldn't finish the sentence.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. Priya just said he had a breakdown and he's in the hospital."
Dante pulled him close. "I'm sorry. That's awful."
Adrian leaned into him, feeling the weight of everything—James in crisis, spring semester starting in three days, leaving Dante again, the constant pressure of maintaining connection across impossible distance.
"I need to call Priya. Get more information."
"Do you want privacy?"
"No. Stay."
Adrian called. Priya answered immediately.
"Adrian. Hi. I'm sorry to text during your break, but I thought you should know."
"What happened? Is James okay?"
