The hallway was its usual circus—sneakers squeaking against the waxed floors, someone beatboxing off-rhythm near the lockers, the ghost of cafeteria pancakes still hanging in the air even though it was already fourth period. But none of it registered. My head was louder than the noise around me.
I slid into my seat in AP Lit and spotted Selena already there, doodling tiny clouds and lightning bolts in the corner of her notebook like it was her own private weather report. She didn't even glance up when I sat.
"You didn't sleep, did you?" she said, casually, like she'd been waiting to say it all morning.
I sighed, dropping my bag with a thud. "Barely."
"I could tell from your texts last night. You write in full sentences when you're spiraling."
I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes. "It's not like I asked him to call again."
"No," Selena said, finally looking at me, "but you stayed on the phone."
I didn't say anything.
