Aria’s POV
Time blurred in Nicole’s apartment. Days and nights folded into each other, indistinguishable. I wasn’t counting them. I barely acknowledged their passing. I simply moved through them, existing in a cycle of forced normalcy.
Wake up.
Eat when they made me.
Sleep when exhaustion became heavier than the ache in my chest.
Repeat.
The world outside moved on without me. But in here, in the warm cocoon of Nicole’s home, I was frozen in place.
I didn’t cry. Not in front of them. Not when Liv cracked jokes that were funnier in her head than out loud. Not when Jenna threw on ridiculous reality shows, hoping for an eye roll or even a scoff from me. Not even when Nicole who was always effortlessly put together, sat cross-legged on the floor in sweats, painting my nails in silence be
