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“I know.”

I press my hand to my forehead. Everything feels too loud again. The whispers. The messages. The memory of the camera. Dalton’s voice. Alester’s calm face.

“I just wanted one normal day,” I say.

Simone snorts softly. “You picked the wrong life for that.”

That almost makes me laugh.

My phone buzzes again. I don’t open it this time. I just hold it in my hand and stare at nothing. Because for the first time since yesterday, it’s not the room or the gossip or even Alester that scares me the most.

It’s calling my brother back and hearing what he says next.

I don’t go back to class. I tell Simone I’m leaving. She doesn’t argue, just presses another coffee into my hand like that might fix something and says, “Text me when you get home,” in a tone that means I will come over again if you don’t.

Anika hugs me awkwardly before I leave, like she’s not sure if I want it but does it anyway. I don’t realize how much I needed it until I’m already walking away.

My phone keeps buzzing in my bag. I don’t check it.

I already know Nate is still texting. I already know the group chats are worse. I already know there are people who think they’re being supportive and people who think they’re being funny and people who think they’re entitled to an opinion.

I don’t need to read it to know.

Still, at a red light, I pull my phone out anyway. Because I’m an idiot.

Nate’s messages are still there.

More now.

Nate: Maggie this is not funny

Nate: Call me right now

Nate: Why didn’t you tell me

My chest tightens.

Below that⁠—

Dalton.

One message.

Just one. That somehow makes it worse.

I stare at his name longer than I should.

Then I open it.

Dalton: Are you okay?

That’s it. No explanation. No follow-up. No pressure. Just that.

My throat tightens in a way I don’t appreciate.

I lock my phone. I don’t reply.

I can’t. Not after last night. Not after what he said. Not after the way he looked at me like he had already worked something out in his head and was waiting for me to catch up.