The sun through the blinds was too bright. Anna sat on the edge of her bed for a long moment, the quiet of the room feeling loud in her ears. Last night felt like a fever that had finally broken, leaving behind a weird, empty calm. She wasn't sure if it was better.

Just get through today. That's all. Just be his friend.

She dressed, the clothes feeling like a costume. A nice sweater, jeans that fit just right. She walked across campus and forced a few smiles to people she knew, the motion feeling stiff in her cheeks. Everything felt a little distant, like watching a movie of her own life.

And then she saw him, of course. By the doors to the lecture hall, mid-laugh. Everything else just kind of went out of focus for a second. She didn't slow down, just kept walking toward him.

Breathe. Just breathe. Friends talk about classes.

"Hey," she said, her voice even. "Get a look at the syllabus yet? I'm betting fifty pages of single-spaced torture." She managed a small smile. It didn't feel real. She noticed a new scuff mark on the toe of his shoe and focused on that. It was easier than looking at his face.