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Seven years back, in the heart of New York, Brina leaned against her locker, breathing deep. She'd just slipped her bag inside, and the solid click of the locker door closing felt like a chapter ending.
Back to school after everything with Chris? It felt surreal, like ripping off a bandage to find the wound still bleeding. But here she was, in the middle of the buzzing school hall, listening to the chatter of students and trying to focus on the familiar chaos instead of her heartbreak.
She was reaching for her lesson planner when she heard a voice that pulled her back to reality.
"Brina!" She looked up, and there they were: Nobara and Maki, strutting her way with that familiar fire in their eyes. Seeing them faces she could count on, felt like oxygen to her lungs.
"Girl, we just had to check up on you," Nobara grinned, her eyes bright and mischievous. "Are you still with that ass-face?"
Brina snorted, the bitterness slipping away for just a moment. She shook her head with a small laugh. "Nope, that book is closed. Finally."
Nobara whooped, throwing her fist in the air like she'd just won a prize. "Yes! Hallelujah! I swear, he was deadweight, B. This calls for a celebration—no more sad Brina, only fabulous, single Brina!"
Brina felt a warmth creep into her chest at the pure hype her friends were throwing her way. It felt good. "So, Maki," she asked, turning to her, "you're graduating this year. What's next?"
