Feels like a Dream...

\.*~_TEN-COLD_~*./

Eve's POV

The school hallway is buzzing with the usual morning chatter. Eve watches from her corner, casually leaning against her locker, her eyes scanning the crowd. She's not exactly part of the drama unfolding between Avery's group and Kali and Alice, but as an observer, she's seen enough to know it's not dying down anytime soon. Today, she senses a change in the air; things feel tenser.

As she watches Avery, Kasey, Daily, and Akrian huddled near their lockers, Eve can't help but notice the way they move in sync, like a tight-knit unit preparing for whatever the day may throw at them. Avery's smile doesn't quite reach her eyes, and Eve can see the faint lines of worry etched into her face. Daily is animated, gesturing wildly as she talks, while Kasey and Akrian listen, nodding in agreement.

Eve turns her attention to the other side of the hall. Kali and Alice linger near the water fountain, their presence a shadowy reminder of the storm that's been brewing since the Halloween contest. Kali's eyes are sharp, like she's constantly on the lookout for any signs of weakness in the other group. Alice seems more withdrawn, her gaze dropping to the floor every now and then, as if avoiding the reality around her.

Eve sighs, feeling the weight of the conflict pressing on everyone's shoulders. She's heard bits and pieces from both sides—enough to know it's complicated and messy. It's like watching two trains on a collision course, and Eve isn't sure who will come out unscathed when it finally crashes.

Her gaze shifts back to Avery, who is now rummaging through her locker. Eve wants to go over, to tell her it's okay to not have all the answers, to not be the perfect leader everyone expects her to be. But she holds back. There's a fine line between offering support and meddling, and Eve prefers to stay on the outside of this conflict.

As the first bell rings, signaling the start of another school day, Eve picks up her bag and starts walking toward her first class. Her thoughts are a whirlwind of what-ifs and unanswered questions. What if this drama goes too far? What if Kali and Alice never come around? What if Avery's group fractures under the pressure?

Eve shakes her head, trying to dispel the negativity. Whatever happens, she knows she'll be there to help pick up the pieces. For now, though, she'll keep watching, waiting for the moment when things either implode or, miraculously, get better.

Eve slips into her classroom, sliding into her seat just as the teacher begins roll call. She watches the door out of the corner of her eye, catching a glimpse of Avery and Kasey walking past, their expressions unreadable. She knows this isn't over—not by a long shot—but for now, it's just another day in the midst of a storm.

Kali's POV

The second bell rings, but Kali is still standing by the water fountain, her fingers drumming nervously against the metal. She watches the flow of students trickling into their classrooms, her gaze briefly landing on Avery and the others as they disappear down the hall.

A dull ache settles in her chest. She had told herself it was just a disagreement—nothing more than a clash of personalities. But deep down, the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right had been eating at her. Kali had always been sharp, quick to notice when things weren’t going as planned, but somehow this whole situation felt like it was spiraling beyond her control.

She had lashed out during the Halloween contest, fueled by irritation and frustration, but why? Avery’s group had never truly excluded her, yet the resentment had been simmering under the surface for weeks. Now, looking at Alice—quiet, withdrawn Alice—standing beside her, Kali couldn’t help but wonder if she had gotten caught up in something bigger than she realized.