The drive back to campus was drowned in silence. Gaara kept his eyes on the road, his hands steady on the wheel, but not a single word left his lips. Esther, too, chose quiet. Her gaze was fixed on the blur of scenery sliding past the window, her expression shadowed with gloom. Without conversation, the ride felt unbearably long than their reckless trip away from campus.

Yet, thanks to Gaara’s skill behind the wheel, they finally rolled into the parking lot. Esther wasted no time. She ...