Chapter 93
Maya leaned in on my shoulder. “If someone looked at me like that, I’d already be over there.”
Jamal shrugged. “Just talk to her to get it over with. Worst case, it’s awkward.”
“A–And best case… you know each other. Really know each other.” Nora whispered
I inhaled slowly.
I could walk over.
Ask her why she called me Ava.
Ask her what she meant by “once.”
Ask her why she looked like she’d seen a ghost wearing my face.
But before I could make a decision-
“LIZA!” A voice cut through the air. “Come on, we’re eating!”
A boy from her group dragged her attention away.
She hesitated.
Looked at me one last time.
Then turned and walked with her group.
After dinner, we all retreated to our rooms to get ready for bed.
Maya flopped onto my bed, groaning dramatically. “My back hurts. My feet hurt. My soul hurts.”
“You’ve said this for the hundredth time today” I said.
“And I’m honest every time.”
“Goodnight, girls.” Nora waved.
“Goodnight, Nora.”
“Goodnight, water whisperer,” Maya added, making her blush crimson.
I sat on my bed beside Maya and stared at the ceiling.
My mind kept replaying the Liza girl’s voice.
I rubbed my forehead.
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15:54 Fri, Jan 16 T…
Chapter 93
“Aria?” Maya’s soft voice broke through my thoughts.
“Yeah?”
“Are you really alright?.”
“I’m fine.”
“…Are you sure? you can talk to me”
No.
But I nodded anyway. “Yeah.”
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I woke up the next morning to something warm breathing directly into my ear. Then Maya shifted, draping her arms over my waist, her face squished into my shoulder.
Right.
She must’ve passed out here last night.
Her hair is brushing my cheek, and she is snoring lightly–tiny, ridiculous snores she would absolutely deny later. I gently nudged her shoulder.
“Maya,” I whispered. “Get up.”
She groaned into the blanket. “No. Five more hours.”
“You’re literally in my bed.”
“I’m comfortable.”
I rolled my eyes and nudged her again. “Come on. I have to get ready.”
She cracked an eye open. “Do you drool on your cheeks?”
“You did, you drooled on my cheeks.
“”
“Fine, a tiny bit.” She groaned.
“That’s not a denial.” I laughed
She let out a dramatic gasp and sat up.
“Shut
- up.
I’m leaving to my room.”
I laughed despite myself and got up to wash. The mirror reflected a face that looked like it hadn’t slept much -probably because it hadn’t. Liza’s voice wouldn’t stop repeating in my head, turning over and over like a stuck song.
I sighed.
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Chapter 93
‘Ava.‘
:
I splashed cold water on my face, trying to silence it. It didn’t work.
When I stepped back into the room, Maya was stretching.
“Let’s go find food,” she said. “Or maybe food will find me. I’m open to both.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I accept that.”
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We walked out together into the hallway. Nora was standing there already, adjusting the buttons of her gown.
“Good morning!” she chirped.
“Morning,” I replied.
“Morning to you too,” Maya added. “How’s our resident water whisperer?”
Nora nearly combusted. “S–Stop calling me that.”
“Why? It suits you.”
“It does not!”
I smiled.
*****
Jamal met up with us outside half–awake, holding a cup of something steaming.
“Morning,” he mumbled.
“Wow,” Maya said. “You look like someone unplugged you overnight.”
“They did,” he said, dead serious. “Sleep stole my soul.”
“And where did you get that from??” Maya asked, nudging at the steamy cup in his hands.
“It’s tea. My roommate gave it to me,” Jamal smiled.
We all headed into the cafeteria, and I stopped short the moment we walked in.
The place was… beautiful.
Big glass windows stretched from floor to ceiling, letting in soft morning sunlight. Plants hung from the rafters, leaves trailing lazily toward the ground. Long wooden tables filled the space, and the aroma of warm pastries and something sweet drifted through the air.
“Okay,” Maya whispered. “I’m in love.”
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“With the cafeteria?” Jamal asked.
“With whoever made those muffins,” she replied, already moving toward them.
We grabbed food–eggs, fruit, pastries, whatever smelled good–and sat down by a window.
“Today will be a full assignment day,” Nora said nervously. “Mrs. Hopkins said it last night.”
“Yeah,” Jamal said. “And apparently they might put us in a team and make it a competition.”
Maya perked up. “Do we get a prize?”
“They probably will put on a prize to make it cooler,” Nora said.
Maya clasped her hands tightly. “I pray it’s food. If it’s food, I’ll cry tears of joy.”
“The only reason your stone cold heart will cry is food, we know.” Jamal rolled his eyes.
“Shut up,” Maya spat.
I shook my head and took a bite of my toast.
Everything felt oddly normal, even though part of me was knotted up inside, Liza’s voice sliding in and out of my thoughts like a whisper just behind my ear.
‘Why did she call me Ava?‘
‘And why did it feel like she knew me?‘
Before I could think too long about it, the microphone at the front of the cafeteria screeched. Mrs. Hopkins tapped it twice before speaking.
“Good morning, students! Please finish up and gather near the courtyard in ten minutes. Mr. Halden and I will be assigning teams for the first excursion challenge!”
Maya punched the air ecstatically.
“LET’S GO.”
We stared at her.
“What? I’m excited.” She deadpan.
We finished breakfast, We stepped into the courtyard, the sun warming the stone tiles beneath our feet. Mrs. Hopkins and Mr. Halden stood at the front, clipboards in hand.
“Alright, everyone,” Mr. Halden began. “Today’s challenge is designed to test teamwork, helping others and building loyalty.”
“You’ll also need to communicate well,” Mrs. Hopkins added, “if you don’t communicate, you’ll get lost. Listen carefully as I call out names so you can know what team you are in.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
