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“Be safe, Reya,” Edna says as she shuts the door softly behind me as I make my way towards my car.

I sit behind the wheel, and stare through the windshield at the sky.

Don’t fall asleep. It’s okay to be tired.

Then my phone buzzes. Edna’s name lights up my screen.

7 minutes.

I stare at the message, a small smile pulls at my lips before I can stop it. Seven minutes. All it takes to remember how to breathe.

I place my phone down, and turn the key to ignition. The drive was long and boring, and I made it in time before the final morning bells.

I park the car and hurry out, grabbing my bag from the backseat and Blue’s carrier. He’s still asleep as I walk to the dorm. I have half an hour to get ready so everything happens quickly.

A shower, a turtleneck pulled over my head and under the uniform to hide the bruises, a few minutes on the floor with Blue before I fill his bowls with fresh food and water.

Blue immediately leans into my hand when I’m done.

“You’re a spoiled brat, you know that?”

His tail flicks as I press a kiss to the top of his head and stand back up. “Give me five minutes, okay? Your mom needs coffee before playing a bit more with you.”

I grab my keys, and head downstairs to the cafeteria, waiting by the counter until they hand my cup over. The warmth of it settles into my palms as I make my way back upstairs.

When I open the door, I jolt as I notice Hayzel sitting on my bed, stroking Blue, who is too busy purring. Traitor.

“Shit. Hayzel, you could’ve called or texted like a normal person?”

She gives me a creepy smile as she tilts her head to the side. “Why would I?”

I glare at her before turning toward the mirror. The turtleneck covers most of what I need it to. My fingers still move to my hair, pulling it forward over the marks. I don’t want her to see them.

That’s when I feel a light and gentle touch on my back.

Hayzel comes into view, standing beside me, glancing at our reflection, “And yet, you say I am the vain one,” she says with a smile.

“You are vain…” I tell her, a small laugh escaping me.

“Come, Reya,” she continues, taking my hand in hers, “I got something for you.”

I allow her to pull me towards the end of my bed, taking a seat on the edge and watch closely. Hayzel bends over to retrieve something from the side. She then hands me a silver thermos with small doodles all around.

“Fireflies…” I whisper.

Hayzel smiles, nodding her head, “I thought it might, you know, cheer you up a bit.”

She extends her arms, and I reluctantly lean forward to hug her.

“Thank you,” I murmur the words in her hair as we squeeze each other tightly. “You’re still vain, even though you’re my best friend.”

“You’re welcome, now hurry up and finish getting ready. I don’t want Ms Green glaring at us again.”

I scoff at the thought before releasing her and she smiles at me as I blink back the tears that threaten to spill. “I am ready, woman.”

Hayzel nods her head before getting up and walking towards my door. “Nope, you forgot your pin. I’ll wait for you in the hallway,” she replies all proud of herself.

I close my eyes once more as the click of the lock echoes through the room, smoothing out any of the wrinkles on my jumper before attaching the pin to it.