~Aria's POV
I kept thinking about Ethan. About the cookies, about how he had returned the bag, about the way he had spoken to me. I shook my head softly.
"Rude jerk," I whispered to myself, "but at least he took the cookies." I smiled at the thought.
The walk to Karina's place was short. The quiet streets, the sound of my shoes on gravel, the soft rustle of leaves, it all felt like it belonged in a movie.
"Aria!" she said warmly. "Come in, come in. You look… busy today."
"I had a busy morning," I said, smiling. "And I ruined the herbs I tried to make."
Karina grinned. "Clumsy as always," she said, but there was no sharpness in her voice, only kindness. "Sit. Let me make us some tea. You look like you need it."
I sank into the chair opposite her, feeling the warmth of her place wash over me. "I needed to get out of my own head," I said softly. "A lot happened today… and yet, nothing happened at all."
