(Michelle Lui's POV)
The moment I stepped into the Physics lecture hall, the air felt… strange.
Not dangerous.
Not dramatic.
Just wired — like someone had stretched invisible threads across the room and they hummed under every small movement.
Steven was already there.
Sitting in our usual row.
Quiet. Composed.
His expression neutral, but the space around him felt different — tighter, sharper, like he'd spent the entire night thinking too much.
Anthony and Jasmine arrived next, settling into their seats with calm familiarity. Jasmine gave me a tiny wave. Anthony nodded once.
Then—
Lara entered.
Her steps were light, almost graceful, as always.
But her eyes…
Her eyes were brittle glass.
She saw Steven first.
Then she saw me.
Then she saw the empty space between us — the space Steven subtly held, the space I gently filled, the space that used to be hers.
Her throat bobbed once as she swallowed.
She looked away quickly, but not quickly enough.
