Chapter 196

Monday came back too fast.

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It always did.

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Like the weekend never really stayed long enough.

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Alex woke up to the sound of the alarm.

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Sharp.

Loud.

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Different from the quiet mornings before.

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For a moment, Alex just stared at the ceiling.

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Not moving.

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Because everything felt… heavier again.

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Not bad.

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Just real.

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School.

People.

Noise.

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The outside world.

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Alex sighed softly and sat up.

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Their eyes moved ...