Chapter 17

Aria snaps her fingers in my face, the sharp sound cutting through my spiraling thoughts. She begins to drag me towards the lecture hall, her grip firm and reassuring.

As we approach the entrance, I take a deep breath, the cool air filling my lungs. I try to push my concerns aside and focus on the present, but anxiety clings to me like a second skin. The lecture hall looms before us, its doors wide open, inviting us into what should be a familiar, safe space.

We settle into our seats, and that's when I notice it—the weight of numerous gazes upon me. Several students are glancing in my direction, their eyes a mix of curiosity and poorly concealed interest. Whispers float around the room, barely audible over the rustle of notebooks and laptops being opened but loud enough to set my nerves on edge.

My brows furrow in confusion, a knot forming in my stomach. Why are they all looking at me like that? I try to focus on getting my materials ready, my hands trembling