~Jennie’s~

“You look like hell, Streams,” Ava says immediately as she steps onto the patio like she owns the place. And for a second, I let her.

Because she’s right. I do.

The late morning sun blazes too bright onto the iron railings, spotlighting the puff under my eyes and the bruised silence in my bones. I’m still in yesterday’s hoodie. My tea’s cold. Blue’s with Camila, and I haven't eaten a bite since Reo dropped me like trash at Leo’s gate.

But Ava’s here.

After everything.

I stand slowly, but she reaches out first. Her fingers are thinner than I remember. Still healing, but strong. And warm.

“I missed...