(Darius)
A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. I didn't need to look up to know who it was. Lauren. She always seemed to show up just when I was at my breaking point, and I hated that. I hated that she could see me like this. But it was hard to hide it, especially now.
“Can I come in?” Her voice was soft, almost too gentle.
“Yeah,” I muttered. I didn’t want to say anything more.
She opened the door, and I heard it click softly behind her as she stepped inside. I kept my eyes down, not looking at her, my hands gripping the edge of the desk in front of me. I couldn’t look at her now. I didn’t know what I was feeling, but I didn’t want her to see it.
“Are you okay?” she asked. I could hear the concern in her voice, though I wasn’t sure if it was for me or something else.
“I’
