Karina entered the classroom
to the familiar sight of desks and notebooks.

The room hummed softly with faint whispers and the shuffle of papers, but her focus remained on getting settled.

Sliding into her seat, she unpacked her books, arranging them neatly on her desk. Just as she adjusted her chair, the door swung open with a loud bang.

"There you are!" Giselle bursts in, clutching a precarious stack of snacks against her chest, her face fuming with exaggerated frustration. She plopped down in the seat beside Karina and dramatically unloaded her stash onto the desk.

"I thought I'd find you buried under a mountain of textbooks," Giselle declared.

"You need to take a break, or I swear you'll land in a mental hospital before the year ends."

Karina couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of her at Giselle's antics. "I'm not studying, Giselle. I literally just got here. I was about to bring out my book when you barged in."

Giselle squinted at her suspiciously.

"Yeah, right. That book right there says otherwise. You can't fool me." She pointed accusingly at the open notebook on the desk, her mock glare making Karina squirm slightly.

"Okay, okay!" Karina raised her hands in mock surrender, a sheepish smile tugging at her lips. "I'll take a break. Just don't get mad. I'd rather not deal with an angry Giselle."

Satisfied, Giselle handed her a can of Coke, popping her own open with a satisfying hiss. She took a long gulp, then smirked as Karina reached for a slice of cake from the snack pile.

"See?" Giselle teased, her earlier annoyance melting into a grin.

"You're adorable when you eat cake like that. Life isn't all about studying, you know."

Karina raised an eyebrow, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Oh, really? And what is life about then? Enlighten me, oh wise one."

"Life isn't everything about study, you know."

Karina raised an eyebrow, grinning. "Oh? And what is it about then? Enlighten me, oh wise Giselle."

Giselle leaned in dramatically, her voice going to a conspiratorial whisper.

"When life gives you lemons, you make mojitos!"

Karina burst out laughing, her voice ringing through the quiet classroom. "What kind of advice is that? You're ridiculous!"

Giselle leaned back, clearly pleased with herself. "I know, right? My wisdom even shocks me sometimes."

Karina shook her head, still chuckling. "I'll be sure to remember that. Next time life hands me lemons, mojitos it is."

As the evening dragged on, Karina's energy waned. Despite her best efforts to stay alert, her eyelids grew heavier by the second. She blinked quickly, fighting the haze of sleep threatening to pull her under. The classroom was quiet, filled only with the soft sounds of pages turning and pencils scratching paper.

Giselle had stepped out to the bathroom, leaving Karina alone to battle her fatigue. She rubbed her eyes, willing herself to focus on the book before her, but the words blurred together. Finally, she gave in. Resting her head on her folded arms, she let her eyelids flutter shut. Within minutes, the steady rhythm of her breathing signaled she had fallen asleep.

When Giselle returned, she paused in the doorway. Karina was slumped over her desk, her soft breaths breaking the stillness. A fond smile tugged at Giselle's lips as she approached and slid quietly into her seat.

"She finally crashed," Giselle murmured, shaking her head. She wasn't surprised-Karina had been pushing herself all day.

Not wanting to disturb her friend, Giselle opened her book and began to study, occasionally glancing at the clock. She kept an eye on the time, counting down the minutes until 10 p.m. when they could finally leave.

Every now and then, Giselle stole a glance at Karina, her heart softening at the sight. Karina's determination always amazed her, but moments like these reminded Giselle that even the strongest people needed rest.

—

Morning light crept through the windows, casting soft rays across the classroom. Karina stirred, blinking blearily as she took in her surroundings. The room was still, save for the muffled murmurs of students in the hallway. She glanced at the clock-thirty minutes until the first class began.

Stretching her arms overhead, she felt the tension melt away, replaced by an odd sense of refreshment. It wasn't the first time she had fallen asleep in class, but waking up feeling so well-rested was unusual.

As she gathered her things, her thoughts turned to Giselle.

Had she let her sleep on purpose? Karina smiled faintly at the idea, grateful for her friend's quiet support.

After retrieving a fresh uniform from her locker, Karina made her way to the pool, used as a makeshift bathhouse for students who stayed late. The cool water lapped against her skin, washing away the remnants of sleep. The refreshing shower cleared her mind, leaving her ready for the day ahead.

Her thoughts drifted again to Giselle. She wondered if her friend had stayed beside her the whole time, ensuring she got the rest she clearly needed. The gesture warmed her, but it also left her with a nagging unease she couldn't quite shake.

The soft morning light spilled through the hallway as Karina made her way back to class. Behind her, a familiar voice called out.

"Good morning, Miss President," Giselle teased, her tone playful as ever.

Karina turned, smiling at her best friend. But as she opened her mouth to ask why Giselle hadn't woken her, something stopped her. A strange unease curled in her stomach-a quiet, persistent knot that refused to loosen.

Unaware of Karina's sudden shift in mood, Giselle chattered on, her excitement spilling over.

"Yesterday was crazy," she exclaimed genuinely.

"That summer festival was probably the best one we have had. I don't know how you managed to pull it all together, but wow."

Karina froze, catching her breath in her throat. Her eyes widened as if all the air had been sucked out of the room.

The summer festival? Yesterday?

Her mind raced as realization hit her like a tidal wave. A shiver ran down her spine, her mouth dry as dread settled in her chest.

Something was wrong-terribly wrong.