At Luxford Academy, the elite boarding school for the ultra-rich, Adriana and Nicholas have been bitter rivals since childhood. Forced to live in the same dorm, their once-friendly pranks have escalated into daily clashes-sharp insults, constant bic...
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The fluorescent lights of Addy's hospital room hum faintly, casting an eerie glow over the sterile white walls. Addy's sitting up in bed, her smile a little faded, but still there—still Addy. We're talking about anything and everything, trying to keep the mood light even though the surgery looms over us like a shadow. I'm in the middle of telling her about this ridiculous video I saw when—
BANG. A commotion erupts in the hallway, voices rising, and footsteps echoing. I freeze, turning towards the door. Addy's eyes widen, and for a second, I think it might be the nurses dealing with another emergency. But then the door bursts open, and our friends flood in like a chaotic, mismatched parade.
Dio's leading the charge, of course, her mouth already running a mile a minute about something entirely inappropriate—did she just say something about "nurses hooking up in the break room"? I can't keep up. Matteo's right behind her, shushing her with this look like he's her babysitter instead of her boyfriend. Theo and Lia are next, Theo bouncing like he's on a sugar high, which is probably true. Lia's trying to keep him in check but she's smiling too—she can never say no to Theo's antics. Rora struts in last, flanked by Drew who's lugging in a bag that's almost as big as he is, filled with Addy's stuff. She's on her phone, giving orders like she's directing a runway show.
"What the hell—?" I start, but before I can even get a full sentence out, Matteo cuts me off, his voice hushed but urgent.
"We gotta move. Now."
"Are you guys insane? Addy's having surgery tomorrow!" I snap, glancing at Addy who's already looking way too interested in whatever scheme is unfolding. There's no way she should be getting out of that bed, but she's already inching forward, excitement bubbling up in her eyes.
"Her dad's on his way," Lia blurts, finally catching her breath. "We can't let him find her. We've gotta get out of here, Adri. Just for a bit, so she can have some fun before—"
"The surgery," Rora finishes, her voice soft but resolute. She's still got that bossy edge, but I can tell she's worried too. Rora's got Addy's favorite hoodie in her hands, the one that looks like it's been through a war and probably smells like hospital detergent, but Addy loves it. She's got this expression that's half determined diva and half scared friend.
Addy's already halfway to her feet, though she's moving slow, trying not to jostle the IV tube in her arm. She flashes me this look, pleading but defiant. "C'mon, Adri," she says, voice raspy. "Just for a little while. I'm not letting him ruin this."
"Addy, you can barely breathe without that thing," I point to the oxygen tank like I'm her freaking mom. But then I see it—the way her shoulders slump just a bit, the way the light in her eyes dims as she thinks about tomorrow and everything she's been through already. I swallow hard, feeling my resolve waver. Damn it. Addy's my best friend. I can't say no to her, especially not now.
