Hailey's pov
We stayed on the bench even after the hallway emptied.
The sound of lockers slamming faded, footsteps thinning out until the school felt quieter, like it was holding its breath between periods. I leaned back against the cool wall, my bag resting at my feet, my hands folded tightly in my lap. My fingers still trembled a little, though the worst of it had passed.
Violet didn’t rush me.
She swung one leg slowly, heel tapping softly against the floor, giving me space without pulling away. That alone felt rare. Most people either hovered too close or disappeared the moment things got uncomfortable.
“So,” she said eventually, her voice light but careful. “Do you want to talk about it, or do you want to pretend none of it exists for ten minutes?”
I let out a quiet breath. “May
