It's been a full week since the freshmen mixer. Seven days of Adrian's absence, with our last encounter still lingering in my mind like a favorite song on repeat. Classes had officially begun, and the once buzzing energy of St. Bellamy's had settled into more structured chaos with students walking across the glossy marble floors of the west academic wing. 

Sloane and I strolled side by side, our iced lattes in hand, the morning sun catching the soft gold in her brunette curls as we chatted ...