Giselle hesitated, her fingers curling around the strap of her bag.

For a moment, she considered walking away, letting her frustration carry her out of the room. But something in Karina’s voice—a note of desperation—made her pause.

Without a word, she returned to her seat, avoiding Karina’s gaze. The silence in the empty classroom was almost oppressive, the unspoken tension heavy between them.

Karina swallowed hard, grateful Giselle had stayed. She didn’t waste another moment.

“I’m sorry,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “For snapping at you this morning.”

Giselle glanced at her, the anger in her expression softening into curiosity. “Why did you, then?”

Karina sighed, her hands clenching in her lap. She stared at them as though the answers were written in her palms. “I… I don’t know. Everything feels wrong today.”

Giselle tilted her head, concern replacing her earlier irritation. “What do you mean?”

Karina hesitated, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. Finally, she spoke, her voice barely audible. “I think I’m stuck in some kind of loop.”

“A loop?” Giselle repeated, frowning.

“Yeah,” Karina said, forcing herself to meet her friend’s gaze.

“It’s like… I’m living the same day over and over. Today feels just like yesterday. Everything’s the same. I don’t know how to stop it.”

For a moment, Giselle stared at her, her brow furrowing in disbelief. Then her lips twitched into a faint smile. “Karina, come on. You’re just tired. You don’t have to make up time-loop stories to apologize.”

Karina sighed, biting her lips, leaning back in her chair. “Right. Never mind.”

Giselle stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. Her tone softened. “Let’s go home. You really do need some rest.”

Karina nodded, too drained to argue. She packed her things and followed Giselle out of the classroom, her legs heavy with exhaustion.

By the time they reached the parking lot, Karina felt like she could collapse. The sight of the black SUV—a sleek Lexus—brought a wave of relief. She sank into the passenger seat, the cool air from the AC soothing her flushed skin.

As Giselle started the engine, Karina leaned back and closed her eyes. The steady hum of the car and the gentle sway of the ride lulled her into a fragile sense of calm.

By the time they reached Karina’s house, she was fast asleep, her head tilted slightly, her breathing steady. Giselle parked and glanced at her friend, her frown deepening at the sight. Karina looked so vulnerable, her usually composed demeanor replaced by an exhausted fragility.

From the car, Giselle could see Karina's mother, Mrs. Yu, behind the counter of their family's fried chicken shop, had a bright smile as she served a couple of customers.

Not wanting to wake her, Giselle quietly slipped out of the car and made her way to the shop. Mrs. Yu’s face brightened as soon as she saw her.

“Giselle! It’s been ages!”

“Hi, Mrs. Yu,” Giselle greeted, her voice warm but subdued.

“How are you? How’s school?”

“Just surviving,” Giselle replied with a wry smile, though the humor felt forced.

Mrs. Yu chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re such a good kid. Always working hard.”

Giselle’s smile faltered. She didn’t feel like a good friend, not when she’d ignored Karina’s struggles all day. Before she could say anything, a customer called for Mrs. Yu, who excused herself with a wink.

Moments later, she returned with two boxes of fried chicken and a couple of drinks.

“Here,” she said, placing them in front of Giselle. “Take these and eat with Karina. She’s been working too hard lately.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Yu, but I really can’t—”

“Nonsense,” Mrs. Yu said, waving her off with a smile. “Just take them.”

“Thanks,” Giselle murmured, sincerity filling her voice.

“She’s in the car,” Giselle added softly. “I didn’t want to wake her.”

Mrs. Yu’s smile softened. “You’re a good friend, Giselle. Let her rest. She’ll be fine.”

Giselle nodded and returned to the car, carefully placing the boxes on the seat beside Karina. Her friend was still fast asleep, her expression peaceful yet tinged with weariness.

As Giselle started the car and drove back to school, the aroma of fried chicken filled the air. It was comforting, but the sight of Karina’s exhaustion lingered in her mind.

Her hands tightened on the steering wheel. She resolved to talk to Karina properly, to make sure she wasn’t carrying all her burdens alone.

For now, though, she let the gentle hum of the engine and the fading light of day fill the silence.