"It's surreal."
"Everything about our lives is surreal." Iva stood, pulling Lori up with her. They embraced—fierce and quick, the way best friends do when they know a goodbye is temporary but still feels like too long.
"Two days," Iva said.
"Two days," Lori repeated.
Iva walked toward the canteen doors. She paused at the threshold and looked back.
"Try not to set anything on fire while I'm gone."
Lori laughed. "No promises."
And then Iva was gone.
---
Lori stood in the middle of the canteen for a moment, feeling the absence of her friend like a physical weight. Then she glanced at her watch.
Her heart stopped.
"Damn," she breathed. "I'm going to be late."
She grabbed her bag and ran.
The headmaster's building loomed before her, ancient stone darkened by centuries of weather. L
