Whispered Shadows

Chapter Nineteen

Fragments of the Past

Noa

The crisp morning air is a little colder than usual as I walk back to the dorm, coffee warming my hands through the cup. The streets are quiet, with only a few students milling about, some walking to their early classes and others lost in their routines.

Gia was supposed to have an exhibit. That is all Gia ever talked about. She always wanted her photos on display for the world to see. I don't understand why she would decide to pull them.

This has to be because of Shadow right? There is no other explanation. At least not one that would make sense. They must have scared her so bad that she backed out.

"Where are you?" he asks, his tone gruff.

He pulls me out of my wandering thoughts reminding me that I am still on the phone

"On my way back to the dorm," I say. "Just grabbing coffee."

"You shouldn't be walking around alone," he snaps, the protective edge in his voice unmistakable.

I roll my eyes, even though he can't see me. "It's morning. There are people everywhere. I'm fine."

"You keep saying that, but it's my job to make sure you are fine," he counters.

I can hear the tension in his voice, and despite myself, a small smile creeps onto my lips. "You're good at the whole overbearing protector thing, you know that?"

"And you're good at being stubborn," he shoots back.

"Must be why we get along so well," I tease.

He exhales sharply, probably pinching the bridge of his nose like he always does when I get under his skin. "Just... text me when you're back, okay?"

"Will do, boss," I say, ending the call before he can protest.

As I near the dorm, I almost don't notice the figure stepping out from the entrance until I'm right in front of her.

"Noa?" a familiar voice calls, stopping me in my tracks.

It's Paige Winslow, Gia's old roommate. Her copper-red hair glints in the sunlight, a cascade of fiery waves falling over her shoulders. Her dark blue eyes are fixed on me, a mix of curiosity and something unreadable in her expression.

"Paige," I say, surprised. "Hey."

She smiles, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I was hoping I'd run into you. Do you have a minute?"

I hesitate, glancing toward the dorm entrance. I'd been meaning to talk to Paige since the day I arrived, but between everything with Shadow and Ryder's constant hovering, I hadn't followed up.

"Sure," I say, shifting the coffee cup to my other hand.

"Great," she says, gesturing toward the stairs. "Come to my room. We can finally have that talk."

I follow her up to our floor. Paige's dorm room is small but meticulously organized. The bed is made with a pale lavender comforter, and the walls are adorned with string lights and a few framed posters of vintage movie scenes. What catches my eye, though, are the photographs.

Three framed photos sit on the wall above her bed, each one distinctly professional.

The first shows Paige standing outside the local movie theater, a soda in one hand and a bin of popcorn in the other. The neon lights of the marquee cast a soft glow over her copper hair, and her smile looks so genuine it feels like she could step out of the frame at any moment.