A few girls clustered by the college entrance whispered to each other, eyes fixed on Avey. She stood near the gates, wearing a fitted, stylish outfit that should have made her look confident, but instead, she looked out of place, almost small under the weight of so many stares.
"Is she waiting for Lucian? Again?" one of the girls muttered to her friend, glancing from Avey back to the entrance, where Lucian would soon appear.
Next to Avey, her best friend Cassandra stood silently, eyes flickering with a mix of worry and skepticism. She had watched Avey struggle all morning, her discomfort painfully clear. Avey was used to attention, but this was different. Today, she could hear the whispers, and she couldn't escape the subtle, judgmental glances people shot her way.
