The morning sunlight gently spilled through the curtains of the dorm room, casting a soft glow on the beds where six girls lay in various positions. The usual rustling began — blankets being thrown off, yawns stretching into the still air, slippers sliding onto the floor.
Lemon sat up first, brushing her hair back and glancing around. One by one, the others began to wake — Scarlett, Autumn, Hazel, and Riley. The room was quiet except for the sounds of sleepy movements and quiet murmurs.
They freshened up quickly, tying hair, brushing teeth, changing into their uniforms. The air was still heavy with yesterday's memories — the chaos, the shouts, and Evelyn's breakdown. None of them expected her to be ready for classes today.
Riley looked at the others. "Should we let her rest?"
Hazel nodded. "She needs it. She went through hell yesterday."
Scarlett glanced toward Evelyn's bed, where the blanket covered her still figure. "We'll just let her sleep."
They were just about to open the door and leave quietly when suddenly —
"I'm coming with you guys too!"
The girls froze. Slowly, they turned. Evelyn was standing, her hair a bit messy but her eyes burning with something strong — something brave.
"I'm not scared of anyone," she said, her voice clear, loud. "It's just a rumor. I didn't do anything wrong. And I believe in myself. I know you guys believe me too."
For a moment, no one said anything. Then, Lemon walked over and hugged her tightly. The others joined in, arms wrapping around Evelyn like a circle of strength.
"We're proud of you, Evelyn," Riley whispered.
Scarlett smiled. "So proud."
Autumn nodded. "You're stronger than anyone I know."
Hazel squeezed her hand. "Let's show them who you are."
Lemon stepped back and raised her finger like a captain addressing her team.
"Okay, girls," she said, half-teasing, half-serious. "If anyone says something bad about us today, then—"
Before she could finish, the others shouted together:
"We won't give a fvck!"
Lemon laughed. "That's my girls! Now let's go — we're getting late!"
They stepped out into the corridor. As expected, it wasn't quiet.
Whispers fluttered through the air like a wave of cold wind.
"Is that… Evelyn?"
"Yes, it's her"
"She's coming to class?"
"How is she not ashamed?"
"I heard she—"
But Evelyn walked on. She remembered Lemon's words: Don't care what anyone says. Just walk. Walk with a smile on your face.
So she did.
Lemon turned slightly and saw her smiling. That small, brave smile. Lemon smiled back, proud. She gently nudged her with her shoulder.
The six of them walked through the corridor like warriors, heads high.
They entered their classroom. Just as they sat down, another wave of whispers began.
Alisha's friends were in the corner, muttering to each other.
"Is she crazy?" one girl whispered.
"She should've just stayed in the dorm," another said.
"What if she hurts someone else?"
Evelyn heard it. The smile on her lips started to fall.
Before she could sink into that pit of doubt again, Riley took her hand and held it tightly.
"Nothing will happen to you," Riley whispered. "We're here. You're not alone. Okay?"
Evelyn nodded slowly. The fear didn't vanish completely, but it lessened. Just a little.
The teacher walked in and the lecture began. Notes were taken, formulas copied, questions answered. It felt almost normal, almost like the past few days hadn't changed everything.
After the lecture ended, the girls headed to the canteen.
The room was crowded as usual. Students lining up for snacks, laughter echoing from tables. But the moment Evelyn entered, silence started spreading like a ripple.
People stared.
Forks paused mid-air.
Mouths stopped moving.
Every eye was on Evelyn.
She froze for a second, unsure. But she didn't say anything.
Then, slowly, the staring stopped. People looked away, went back to eating, chatting, laughing and minding their own business.
Evelyn blinked, confused. What happened?
She turned and saw Lemon — standing there, arms crossed, eyes locked with a group of students who had been whispering. Her gaze was so fierce, so intense, it was like she was staring into their souls.
The students looked away.
Lemon turned back to Evelyn, smiled, and mouthed, eat.
Evelyn almost laughed. The others did.
"She's scary," Scarlett said.
"But in a cool way," Autumn added.
"She's the reason no one dares mess with us," Hazel grinned.
Riley elbowed Lemon playfully. "Soul-piercing stare queen."
They found a table, sat down, and started eating. For the first time in a long while, food tasted like food. Warm, comforting.
The rest of the day passed in a strange, quiet rhythm. They went from one class to another, answering questions, solving problems, listening to lectures.
It wasn't perfect. The stares, the whispers — they didn't stop completely. But Evelyn was walking. Breathing. Living.
And that was enough for today.
When they returned to the dorm, the evening sun was dipping behind the trees. The hallway was quiet again.
They dropped their bags. Lemon flopped onto her bed dramatically.
"My legs are dead," she groaned.
"You always say that," Hazel teased, removing her shoes.
"And it's always true," Lemon said.
Riley changed into her nightwear and called out, "Let's freshen up and then do our course work. We don't want to fall behind."
"I feel like a zombie," Autumn muttered, brushing her hair.
Scarlett was already spreading out her books. "Let's just finish quickly. Then we can relax."
They worked together — flipping pages, discussing answers, explaining things to each other. Laughter popped out here and there. They were tired, but they were still together.
Evelyn quietly sat with them. She wasn't talking much, but she was there. She was listening, nodding, writing. Being present.
That night, as they switched off the lights and curled into their beds, Lemon looked at Evelyn's bed. Evelyn looked back and gave a small nod.
No words were spoken.
But Lemon knew.
She's healing.
Slowly. But she is.
And tomorrow, they would face the world again.
Together.