The air in the room thickened, an uncomfortable tension creeping in, heavy and suffocating.
A loud voice suddenly broke through the silence.
"Zoey!"
Zoey's hand jerked away from Ash's, her face brightening as she turned toward the door.
"Ugh, Nina's here."
Ash's heart skipped. The second girl—the one from earlier—stepped into the room. Nina.
She was different now, dressed in a flowing outfit that looked out of place here. Soft pastel colors shimmered under the light, a stark contrast to the worn surroundings. The elegance of the clothes seemed almost too perfect for a place like this.
She moved with a confident grace, but Ash noticed the slight tension in her every step.
"What are you doing with him?"
Nina's voice was sharp, her eyes flashing as she looked from Zoey to Ash. There was a bite to her tone, tinged with something Ash couldn't place.
"You know I saw him first. And aren't you a little young for this, Zoey?"
