Anna got up from the floor, still laughing softly from the recent game, and looked at Leo.
"I'm going to the bathroom," she said, trying to sound casual. Leo nodded, still smiling, as she walked away from the table.
As she made her way toward the dining room exit, she felt someone quickly approaching behind her. She stopped, turning slightly, and saw one of the boys from the group smiling at her a bit shyly. He raised a hand to wave and introduced himself.
"I'm Ian," he said, extending his hand toward Anna.
Anna looked at him, a little surprised, but responded naturally, shaking his hand.
"Anna," she replied with a small smile.
Before she could say anything else, three more kids approached, also introducing themselves one by one.
She shook hands with each of them, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden attention.
One of them, after introducing himself, asked a question with a mix of curiosity and admiration.
"Was that really your first time playing *Corte*?" he asked, staring at her as if trying to read the truth on her face.
Another boy nodded, adding,
"I've never seen anyone play like that. You were really good."
The last boy, a bit more shy, blushed as he said,
"You have really nice hair."
Anna couldn't help but laugh at the compliment, feeling a warmth in her chest she hadn't felt in a long time. Although the comment was followed by the others teasing and lightly pushing the boy, the situation made her smile.
As she tried to respond, Anna realized how strange it was for her to be in such an environment.
'When was the last time I played like this, without using my ability?' Anna thought with some satisfaction, but deep inside…
She was scared.
Afraid of using that ability and suffering again because of it. So maybe… if she managed to avoid using it as much as possible, could she change her fate?
That question left Anna deep in thought.
"No, I hadn't played before," Anna lied softly, trying not to sound too evasive. "I just... like to watch people and see how they act."
"Wow, that's cool," one of the boys said, while the others laughed amongst themselves about the earlier compliment.
Anna stood there for a moment, watching the boys laughing and talking like lifelong friends.
'Had I ever interacted with them before?' Anna wondered, frowning slightly.
She couldn't recall seeing these boys as a close-knit group in the past. And despite the fun of the game, she still struggled to remember what it felt like to have friends.
Just as these thoughts began to overwhelm her, the discomfort in her body reminded her why she had stood up in the first place.
"Excuse me, I really need to go to the bathroom," Anna said, flashing a smile as she began to walk toward her destination.
"Oh, sorry!" one of the boys said, stepping aside to give her space.
The others also stepped back with murmured apologies, letting her continue on her way.
Anna walked away quickly, and as she entered the hallways, a sense of calm began to wash over her again.
But just as she got near the bathroom, something caught her attention.
At the end of the corridor, she saw a boy lying on the floor, and her heart skipped a beat. She ran over, a knot forming in her stomach, and as she leaned over him, she realized it was Edrick.
"Edrick?" she whispered, leaning closer to check if he was okay.
When she touched him, she realized he was burning with fever.
'Is he sick?' Anna thought, surprised. 'But how…?'
Edrick was barely breathing, and the heavy sound of his breath sent chills down her spine.
Anna looked around, searching for someone, anyone, who could help her, but there was no one.
Without hesitation, she decided to carry him, even though her small body trembled from the effort. Edrick was heavier than she had expected, but Anna gritted her teeth and pushed forward, dragging him toward one of the nearby dorms.
Once there, she let him fall onto an empty bed and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Anna looked around the room, searching for something to help him. She found a cloth, dirty and old, but it was the only thing she had at hand. She wet it with water from a jug that, luckily, was nearby, and placed it on Edrick's forehead, carefully removing his glasses.
As she observed him more closely, she noticed something she hadn't before. Edrick, behind those glasses and that reserved demeanor, was… handsome.
The thought shook her for a moment, and Anna shook her head, snapping back to reality.
'Focus, Anna,' she told herself, taking a deep breath.
She leaned over him, whispering softly,
"Everything will be okay. I put the cold cloth on you, just… rest."
That's when she heard a soft creak behind her.
*Bam!*
The door slammed shut with a loud bang, and what followed made her freeze: muffled laughter from the other side of the door.
Anna quickly stood up and ran to the door, trying to open it, but it was locked from the outside.
Anna pounded on the wood in frustration.
"Open it!" Anna yelled, but all she got in return were mocking laughs.
'Why are they laughing…? This isn't funny, it's serious,' Anna thought, slightly annoyed.
Then she heard a voice she recognized immediately.
It was the same girl who had rejected joining her group speaking from the other side of the door.
"And if we don't?" the voice said, with a mocking tone.
Was this… serious?
Anna gritted her teeth.
The situation was getting more and more complicated, and her need to use the bathroom only made things worse.
But what worried her the most was Edrick.
His breathing had become more labored, and he seemed to be getting worse.
Anna looked at the cloth on his forehead, and her heart raced.
She didn't want to use her ability.
Especially after remembering all the pain it brought her.
But as she listened to the whispers and laughter from the other side of the door, and Edrick's strained breathing, she began to think that maybe, just this once, she might have to.
Anna approached the door once more, knocking softly.
"Please… open it."