*(Audra's POV, past)*
The week after Claire's confrontation with Sophia felt like a breath of fresh air. There was a noticeable lightness in her step, a quiet confidence that hadn't been there before. Though I could tell she still had moments of doubt—losing a long-time friend, even a toxic one, wasn't easy—she no longer hesitated when Kyle was around. They sat closer, whispered jokes between classes, and she no longer glanced over her shoulder as if waiting for Sophia's judgment.
I was proud of her.
"You're staring," Chris muttered beside me as we walked toward the cafeteria, a lazy grin on his face.
"I'm observing," I corrected, nudging him with my shoulder. "It's different. Claire looks... happy."
"She does," Chris agreed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I knew she had it in her."
Kyle and Claire were already sitting at our usual table, deep in conversation, and when we sat down, Kyle barely looked up before tossing a fry at Chris. "Took you long enough, man."
