Spencer Hastings sat on the edge of her bed, fingers tapping anxiously against the prescription bottle in her hands. The little pills inside rattled, the sound mixing with the late-night hum of Rosewood outside her window. She told herself she wouldn’t, that she could handle things on her own this time—but the exhaustion clawing at her begged otherwise.

A knock at the door made her jump. She shoved the bottle under her pillow just as her friend stepped inside.

“Spence?” Their voice was soft, careful. “You missed our study session. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Fine.” Spencer forced a smile, but her hands wouldn’t stay still.

They glanced at the bed, at Spencer’s clenched fists, before sighing. “You don’t have to lie to me.”

Spencer looked away. “I’m not lying.”

“Spencer…” They hesitated before sitting beside her. “I know it’s been hard. Everything with A, school, your parents—it’s a lot. But this?” They gestured vaguely toward the pillow. “This isn’t the answer.”

Spencer stiffened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I saw you earlier. You were jittery. And now you won’t even look at me.”

Spencer exhaled sharply, standing up like she could outrun the conversation. “I just need to stay awake. Just for a little while longer. I can’t afford to fall behind.”

“You’re not behind—you’re burning out.”

Spencer laughed bitterly, running a hand through her already-messy hair. “I can’t afford to burn out, either.”

They stood too, blocking her path. “Then let me help you. You don’t have to do this alone.”

For a long moment, Spencer didn’t speak. Then, finally, she let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know how to stop.”

They reached for her hand, squeezing it. “Then we’ll figure it out. Together.”

The bottle under the pillow felt heavier than ever.