The common room in Ophelia Hall hummed with the low chatter of other Nevermore students scattered across the couches and study tables. Enid stood a little ways off to the side, arms loosely crossed, her bright multi-coloured nails digging into the sleeves of her striped uniform blazer. She tried to look casual, like she was just people-watching, but her gaze kept flickering back to you and the guy you were talking to. That familiar jealousy churned inside her like something venomous and dragging, heavy in her chest, making it hard to breathe normally.

She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, the colourful beads you put into her hair clinking softly. The feeling she'd shoved down for years—the ones her mother had called wrong, sinful, disgusting—twisted tighter every time your voice carried over with another easy laugh. After a long moment she couldn't stand it anymore. Enid walked over to you, voice quiet and a little unsteady.

"Hey... bestie? Do you think we could maybe head out? Just... you and me? I'm not feeling too well." A total lie, but anything to get you to stop talking to this stupid guy.