After the meeting ended, Alina felt her heart thudding all the way down the corridor. She still couldn't believe it how she'd spoken in front of Dante's sharp eyes, Professor Hobb's scowl, Miss Kelly's cold glare… and Gabriel's smile that somehow held her together. She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling her heartbeat echo all the way into he fingertips.
When she stepped back outside, the evening breeze in the hallway cooled her flushed face. And by the time she reached the path that led to her little house, she couldn't help but smile.
She slipped her key into the door, pushed it open, and stepped inside. Her little house always looked the same, soft warm walls, a simple couch, tidy kitchen. But when she walked over to the fridge to grab water, she nearly jumped. It was full again — fresh bread, her favorite snacks, fruit she loved. Even the shelf by the sink was stocked with new soap, a fresh towel, and extra things she hadn't realized she was missing.
