For reasons no one could explain, everything changed overnight.

Tuesday had been normal. Loud, familiar - but normal. By Wednesday, something had shifted. It was just… off. Like the volume on everyone’s worst traits had been turned all the way up. Patience wore thinner. Egos ran sharper. Reactions were harsher, less filtered. Some acted strangely out of character; others felt like exaggerated versions of themselves.

Mina noticed immediately.

She might play the airheaded role sometimes, but she was observant - especially when it came to her friends. She knew their rhythms, their moods, the small tells in their expressions. And this wasn’t normal.

The strangest part? The teachers didn’t seem to react at all. No comments. No corrective looks. It was as if nothing had changed - like this was how everyone had always been. Like she was the only one who felt the difference.

It almost reminded her of first year, when everyone had been rough around the edges and still figuring each other out. But even then, it hadn’t felt like this. Back then, the sharpness came from inexperience. Now, it felt deliberate. Heightened. Harder to breathe around.

She pushed through it. Mina always did. Smiles, jokes, diffusing tension where she could.

By Friday evening, though, she was tired. After classes ended, she deliberately took a longer route around campus, wandering just to delay returning to the dorms. The crisp air helped a little. It gave her space before stepping back into whatever this was.

When she finally entered Heights Alliance, the doors shut behind her with a muted thud. The common room was lit softly, voices scattered but persistent. She lingered near the couch, trying to settle into the space without letting it settle on her.

About thirty minutes later, she noticed you approaching.

She straightened slightly where she sat, perking up just a bit, eyes focusing on you as you drew closer.