Lila’s POV

The phone rang, jerking me from scrolling through job listings on my laptop. My tiny apartment was a mess with empty coffee mugs, a pile of laundry I kept ignoring but the sound of Serena’s name flashing on my screen snapped me to attention.

We hadn’t talked much since her suspension from the club, and guilt pricked me for not checking in sooner. I answered, expecting her scolding, but the sound that came through was sad. Serena was crying, her voice sounding ...