Nora’s POV

“Lily… it’s me. Your best friend, Nora. Don’t you remember me?”

Her face stayed completely blank. No flicker of recognition. No soft smile. Nothing. She just stared at me with those empty, emotionless eyes, as if I were a stranger who had wandered into the wrong room.

My chest tightened so hard it hurt.

I leaned in and wrapped my arms around her carefully, almost crying into her shoulder. “Lily, it’s me. You can’t forget me. Please…”

She didn’t hug me back. Her body stayed stiff and still under my arms.

I pulled away, wiped my face quickly, and stepped out into the hallway. My hands were shaking...