The library was quiet, almost too calm. Aerith slipped inside, grateful for the reprieve from the chaotic noise of the corridors. She found a seat in the far corner, tucked away between towering bookshelves, hoping the solitude would help her clear her mind. But even in the silence, her thoughts remained loud, swirling around her like an endless storm. The image of Jake and Hazel lingered at the forefront of her mind, gnawing at her with relentless intensity. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, something deeper than just a rough patch or a misunderstanding.She pulled out her phone again, staring at the screen as if willing to light up with a response from Jake. But there was nothing. Just the empty silence of a conversation that was never started. Her fingers hovered over the screen, itching to send another message, but she stopped herself. What would be the point?She had already asked to talk, and now all she could do was wait. But the waiting was unbearable, and every second that passed without a reply felt like confirmation that her fears were justified. Aerith leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment. The dim light of the library offered some comfort, but it couldn't quiet the thoughts racing through her mind.*How did things get this bad?* she wondered.A few months ago, everything had been perfect, or at least, it seemed that way. Jake had been attentive, kind, and always there when she needed him. But now... now it felt like she was grasping at shadows. A creaking noise from the library doors pulled her from her thoughts, and she opened her eyes just in time to see a figure entering the room.Zephry.The same quiet, enigmatic girl who had crossed Aerith's path earlier. Zephry moved through the library with the same calm, an almost ghost-like presence she always had, her footsteps barely making a sound on the wooden floor. She didn't glance in Aerith's direction, didn't acknowledge her at all, but her arrival sent a ripple of unease through Aerith's chest. There was something about Zephry, something Aerith couldn't quite put into words. They had never spoken, despite being in the same class since they were children, but there was a strange familiarity between them. It wasn't friendship, not even acquaintance, but some kind of unspoken connection that Aerith had never fully understood.She watched as Zephry moved toward one of the far bookshelves, her fingers tracing the spines of the old, worn books. The light caught the edges of her long, dark hair, casting an eerie glow around her figure. For a moment, Aerith considered standing up, going over to her, asking her if she knew something-*anything*-about what was going on. But the thought quickly vanished.What could she possibly say? They hadn't spoken in years, and Aerith doubted Zephry would have any insight into her spiralling thoughts. Still, the encounter left Aerith feeling unsettled, like there was something just out of reach, something she was missing. She sighed, running a hand through her hair, trying to shake off the strange feeling. There was no point in dwelling on it.Right now, she needed to focus on figuring out what was going on with Jake. Everything else, Zephry, the tension in her friendships, could wait. Aerith checked her phone again. Still no messages. She bit her lip, frustration and anxiety gnawing at her insides. She hated this, the waiting, the uncertainty. It was like being trapped in a never ending limbo, with no way to move forward and no answers in sight. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Aerith looked up, half-expecting to see Zephry again, but it wasn't her.It was Jake.Her heart skipped a beat as he walked towards her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Aerith's breath caught in her throat. She wasn't ready for this, not yet. Not after everything she had seen, everything she had overheard. Jake stopped in front of her, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his usual easy smile nowhere to be found."We need to talk," he said, his voice low and serious.Aerith's stomach twisted into knots, but she nodded, swallowing hard. Her pulse quickened as she stood up, her legs feeling unsteady beneath her. She had no idea what Jake was about to say, but the heaviness in his voice filled her with dread. The library suddenly felt too quiet, too small. Aerith's mind raced with possibilities, questions she wasn't sure she wanted answers to. As they stepped into the corridor, Aerith braced herself for whatever was coming next.