Mia’s POV

Students poured out of the classrooms in loud, careless waves, laughing and shouting about weekend plans. I stayed seated for a few extra seconds, fingers drumming slowly against the desk, eyes fixed on the empty chair two rows ahead where Lily had been sitting all day. She had barely looked at me during lectures. Every time I tried to catch her gaze she turned away, calm and polite, as if I were nothing more than a distant coursemate.

That calm was starting to feel like a mockery.

I stood up, slung my bag over one shoulder, and walked out into the hallway. Lily was already near the main...