CAFETERIA
The hum of conversations and clatter of trays filled the cafeteria, a welcome distraction from the tension building inside me since this morning. I sat down at our usual table with Regan, twirling my fork in the pile of spaghetti in front of me.
Regan was halfway through a story about his history class when Bella and Chloe joined us, both grinning as they pulled up chairs.
"Aria! We missed you yesterday," Bella said, leaning in. "What happened? Why didn't you come to school?"
I glanced at Regan, hoping he'd help me out with an excuse. The real reason—that I was in the hospital, causing me to miss school —wasn't exactly the most glamorous story. And I definitely didn't want to dive into the whirlwind of emotions I'd been dealing with lately, so I gave him a pleading look.
