At first, it was just one missed class.

Then another.

Then another.

By the third week of the semester, Amara’s name was barely called during attendance anymore.

Have you seen Amara lately? Tess asked as they packed up their books.

Elena forced a smile. Yeah. She’s just… busy.

But she wasn’t sure.

---

Amara was busy, but not with classes.

Ryan’s family owned a sprawling house on the edge of Ravenswood, more mansion than home. It had tall white pillars, a driveway lined with foreign cars, and a swimming pool that glittered even in the gray autumn light.

That’s where Amara spent most of her time now, curled up on a couch with Zoe, half-listening to Ryan and his friends talk, their laughter filling the halls like music and smoke.

Ryan had everything, confidence, charm, money, and he carried it like he owned the world,

He handed Amara a drink with a lazy grin. “Lighten up. You’re too uptight for college.”

She’d laugh it off, say just one, and sip slowly.

But one became two.

And soon, she wasn’t going to class at all.

.......

Elena, you’re overreacting, Amara said when they finally met for coffee one late afternoon.

I’m not, Elena replied quietly. You’ve missed every lecture this week. You haven’t even turned in your english essay.

Amara rolled her eyes. So what? It’s college, Elena. Not prison. I’ll catch up.

You said that last week.

Well, maybe I just need a break.

Elena stared at her, at the tired smile, the messy hair, the faint mark on her wrist she didn’t want to ask about.

"What’s going on with you?”

Amara laughed sharply. Nothing’s going on. Not everything needs to be a big deal with you.

“That’s not fair........”

“No,” Amara cut in, her voice rising. What’s not fair is you acting like my mother every time I try to live a little.

The silence that followed felt heavier than any argument.

Elena looked down at her coffee, heart thudding in her chest.

“I just don’t want you to lose yourself.”

Amara stood up, grabbing her bag. “Maybe I’m just finding out who I am.”

And with that, she walked away,  leaving Elena staring at the door long after it closed.

........

That night, Elena lay in bed, the words replaying over and over.

Maybe I’m just finding out who I am.

But the tone, sharp, tired, hollow, didn’t sound like Amara.

It sounded like someone else entirely.