"Student." She said it like she tasted the word. "Cute."
Sophie's hand rested briefly on Annalise's shoulder. "Be polite."
Annalise tilted her head. "I am polite. I'm just curious."
For a heartbeat her eyes sharpened—too intense for the sentence—then she softened instantly, leaning back toward Sophie. "Sorry, big sis."
Amberine swallowed.
Maris moved between them subtly. "We should go," she whispered.
Elara nodded. "Now."
Sophie offered Amberine another small smile. "Good luck on your presentation."
Amberine managed a nod. "Thanks. You too—" Then she realized Sophie wasn't presenting. "I mean. Um. Thanks."
Sophie's smile warmed. "You'll do fine."
And for some reason, that simple sincerity steadied Amberine more than any official speech.
They escaped into their staging pocket—crystal panels shimmering one-way, muffling the corridor noise.
Amberine leaned back against a wall and exhaled like she'd been underwater.
