Hours later, Malik finally pries himself from Robin's room, the weight of her presence still clinging to him like a suffocating fog.
As he walks down the opulent hallway, the laughter and chatter from the party fade into a distant echo.
He feels hollow, each step heavy with the burden of forced smiles and hollow pleasantries.
As he passes by Ramsey, the other boy gives him a knowing nod, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
It's a small gesture, but it brings a momentary flicker of comfort to Malik's heart. He appreciates the unspoken support, but it's not enough to lift the weight pressing down on him.
He reaches his room and closes the door behind him, shutting out the world that feels so utterly foreign.
The lavish surroundings feel like a cage.
He sinks onto the bed, the softness of the mattress doing little to ease the turmoil inside him.
Malik closes his eyes, willing the tears that threaten to spill to retreat.
