Author's POV

The next day at college felt strangely surreal. The usual hustle and bustle of students moving between classes seemed muted, overshadowed by the lingering unease Adrianna carried. She and Riya walked side-by-side through the crowded hallways, their shoulders occasionally brushing, but a subtle tension hung between them. Adrianna found herself constantly scanning the faces around her, a nervous habit she couldn't shake, half-expecting to see Professor Singhania's intense gaze.