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It’s a woman with wings, looking sad, and her dress is ripped.

“Reya, you’re quiet, are you okay?” Ethan says, worry in his eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine, just a bit tired,” I smile back hoping it’ll reassure him, so he’ll stop asking questions.

Hayzel and him keep talking about the training session when Mister Caldwell passes by us. He’s heading to the teachers building. He doesn’t have his glasses on, and I catch a small scar on his nose.

Hayzel nudged me before nodding toward him. “Okay, but he’s really attractive.”

“Yeah, but I cannot afford to think like that,” I said, shaking my head. “This year, no distractions.”

Ethan leaned back, arms crossed. “Exactly. Stay focused, priorities first.”

I grinned at him, grateful for backup. “Thank you. I don’t need temptation walking around in a shirt and glasses right now.”

Hayzel rolled her eyes but smirked. “I get it, Reya.”

“I… you know,” I shrugged, but my eyes were still glued to Mister Caldwell.

I need to leave; I need to finish this year and leave.

She smiled back at me, gentle and understanding. “Yeah. And that’s okay.”

Ethan looks at us confused before saying in an exaggerated voice, “Hey maybe you know but I don’t.”

I look back at him and reply, “Not your problem, Ethan.”

Hayzel laughs before putting her head on my shoulder. Mister Caldwell disappears from my view, and I close my eyes for a second. No distractions allowed this year.

We stayed there for a bit; the sun had already started to dip. Ethan stretched and shook his head. “It’s already getting dark for fuck’s sake. And it’s only 6pm.”

Hayzel leaned on my shoulder and sighed with greed. “I’m so hungry,” she said, and I couldn’t help laughing at the devastation in her voice.

“Let’s get some food then,” Ethan said. “I’m too tired to cook tonight.”

“I’m down. I want a pizza… a lot of pepperonis.”

“It’s going to be without me, I’m going back to my dorm,” I replied. “I’m kind of tired.”

Hayzel kissed my cheek and then looked at Ethan. “We’ll bring you one, your usual?”

I smiled, nodding. “Yeah, pepperoni, extra cheese, please. You’re the best.”

“I know,” she said, grinning, teasing me. “Go rest, we’ll be back soon anyway.”

“Yeah, the bags under your eyes are worrying, Reya.”

I laughed, flipping him off, and then watched them walk ahead.

Even after all those years apart, somehow, nothing had changed.

By the time I got to my dorm, I was wiped out. The lack of sleep was catching up to me. Blue ran to the door, meowing loudly, thrilled I was back. I scooped him up, scratching behind his ears. “They wanted me to stay longer outside, but I couldn’t leave you alone for too long.”

I flopped onto my bed and grabbed my phone to call Edna and Milo.

“My little Reya?”

Breathe.