Elies navigated the bustling hallways with her usual determination to avoid unwanted attention. Her interactions with Damien had already painted a target on her back, and she wasn’t in the mood for any more drama. She kept her head down, clutching her books tightly, when a voice rang out behind her. “Elies! Wait up!” The familiar voice sent a ripple of surprise through her. Turning around, she saw Kayla approaching, her long hair bouncing with each step and a confident smile plastered across her face. Elies frowned. She and Kayla had never interacted beyond polite nods in passing, so this sudden attention was more than suspicious. “Hey,” Elies said cautiously, her tone neutral. Kayla’s smile widened. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Do you have a minute?” Elies glanced at the clock on the wall. She still had time before her next class, but every instinct told her to find an excuse and leave. Unfortunately, Kayla wasn’t someone you could easily brush off. “Sure, I guess,”
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