Chapter 33 A Growing rift

Chapter 33: A Growing Rift

Anita could feel the tension in the air before she even saw Max and Claire waiting for her after rehearsal. The play had just ended, and while the cast was buzzing with excitement, the energy around Anita felt heavier.

She tried to ignore the knot forming in her stomach, but as she approached her friends, their expressions told her everything. Max stood with his arms crossed, a frown on his face, while Claire looked at her with a mixture of concern and frustration.

“Ani, we need to talk,” Max said, his voice sharper than usual.

Anita’s stomach tightened. She had been avoiding this. Her recent absences, the way she’d become more withdrawn—she could feel the growing distance between herself and her friends. They’d noticed. And now, they were demanding answers.

Claire stepped forward, her eyes searching Anita’s face. “You’ve been acting weird lately. And what’s going on with those bruises on your arms? Are you okay?”