(Back in the Solvayne Academy — Classroom A1)
Eleanora's fingers tightened around her quill.
The morning sunlight streaming through the classroom windows felt too bright, too cheerful for the unease settling in her chest.
Her gaze kept drifting to the empty seat beside Reo.
Kyle's seat.
He hadn't come to class today.
A small crease formed between her brows as she tapped the quill against her notebook.
The sound blended with the low murmur of students around her, the whispers about weekend plans, complaints about homework.
But the absence beside Reo's seat was louder than any of it for her.
'Where is he?'
She hadn't seen him since Friday.
Hadn't caught that familiar flash of bluish-black hair in the hallways, hadn't heard his dry remarks during lectures.
Serena, sitting to her left, turned a page in her textbook with deliberate precision. Without looking up, she spoke, her voice cool and detached.
"Kyle's missing?"
Eleanora didn't glance at her. "Seems so."
