SOUL DORM

64

Break it to me gently...

***

CHAPTER 64:

END OF THE ROAD

I braced myself for Tarben's inevitable questions. He could've grilled me about why I was hanging out with those people, how I ended up caught in their twisted game, or what went down exactly. He might've even called me out for my naivety, for embarrassing myself again, and for dropping my guard after all the promises I'd made to myself.

But instead, Tarben just pulled me in for a tight hug and asked if I was okay. That's Tarben for you—caring more about me than any mistakes I made. He didn't press for details or lecture me; he just wanted to make sure I was alright. It was exactly what I needed, even if I didn't deserve it.

We walked back to the Dorm together, bound by a silent pact of companionship. When he said goodnight at my door, not a single tear had escaped me. Perhaps the shock had numbed me, or maybe I had nothing left to feel, having already hit rock bottom.

No bath could rinse away the grime of the night, but I lay in the tub until my skin wrinkled, lost in thought. After drying off, I treated the burn on my arm and crawled into bed. Tomorrow was going to be tough, with new whispers probably already spreading through the Dorm.

Enduring them was one thing but facing Mars after tonight... that was the real challenge. I had wanted him to believe I hated him, needing that semblance of disdain to hold onto my self-respect. But after my embarrassing display, I doubted that façade was still viable. The way I had answered those questions, how I had unraveled in front of him... Mars was no fool; he must have seen right through to the truth.

Before I closed my eyes, I decided not to go to class tomorrow. There was a slim chance Mars might show up, and that was a risk I couldn't face right now. I knew I'd adjust in a few days and get back to my usual routine, but tonight... I rolled over, gripped my pillow like a lifeline, and surrendered to my feelings of defeat.

The next day came with a surprise. Despite my anticipation, the class schedule hadn't appeared in my mailbox. It turned out to be one of those irregular weekends—the holiday stretched to three days, not just two. I took a deep breath, grateful for this unexpected respite, a gift from above—or perhaps from the Principal. Determined not to waste this heavenly help, I headed to my desk, penned a brief note to my friends, and sent it off to each of them.

Want to be alone today. Will be in my garden. Don't worry.

Olive.

I was hoping Lark would handle the rest. She knew what I had gone through better than anyone. She was the only one who could dismiss Ursa's tears, Diego's insistence, and her girlfriend's rational suggestions. As for Tarben... he would never overstep his bounds anyway.

With Trouble leading, we made our way to the greenhouse. I wasn't hungry; just the thought of entering a dining hall crowded with souls quashed any appetite I might have had. My gaze stayed fixed on the ground, aiming to avoid any unpleasant encounters, yet the few souls I passed seemed to pay me no heed at all.

"Oh, Olive," I murmured as I reached my garden. "You're really going to spend purgatory hiding out here, huh?"

It seemed so. Thankfully, the garden always offered sanctuary with endless chores. I pruned leaves, watered plants, switched pots, and tilled soil. After a while, Trouble wandered off, probably in search of food, and I munched on a cookie while continuing my work.

By the time I could no longer stand the pain in my back and the throbbing in my muscles, it was nearly midnight. I was proud. How seamlessly I had managed to get through the entire day on my own, without any trouble. After tidying my tools, I washed up, pulled on my sweater, and said goodbye to the garden that had been my savior for the day.