The moment I stepped into the hall, the noise died.
Every head turned. Every whisper paused mid-breath.
It felt like walking into a spotlight I hadn’t asked for, my skin prickling as eyes tracked every step I took. I kept my gaze low, my fingers curling into the strap of my bag as I moved forward, slow and careful, as if moving too fast would make something snap.
I didn’t look at him.
I didn’t need to.
I could feel Professor Zander’s eyes on me from the front of the room—sharp, heavy, unwavering. The same presence that still clung to my skin like I hadn’t washed him off properly.
I was almost at the last seat when his voice cut through the silence.
“This is all for today.”
The words landed like a gavel.
Chairs scraped. Papers rustled. But I didn’t move. My body locked in place, in
