Andrea’s head hung, concealing her tears, as she rested her hand on the top of the casket. A familiar hand found her back. 

“How are you doing?” Freya asked, trying to peek through Andrea’s red hair to see her face, only for her to turn her head away and wipe at her tears.

“How do you think I’m doing?” she muttered. She sniffled and raised her head, looking around the small crowd of funeral-goers. Still missing a certain face. “She couldn’t even come to the funeral?” Andrea asked as she let the anger push the sadness out of the way. “She killed her. The least she could do is show up today of all days.”

Freya looked at her niece sadly. “Everyone grieves in their own way.”

Andrea shook her head. “She’s not grieving.” She took a deep breath, her voice coming steady and clear, “She’s hiding.”

Freya avoided her eyes, looking instead at the handful of objects set out. 

“Do you think I could have her necklace?” Andrea asked finally.

Freya smiled and picked it up. “I think she would love that.”

Andrea held her hair up so Freya could clasp the necklace behind her neck. From the woods, Hope watched, eyes full of tears, as Freya pulled Andrea into her arms and pressed her nose into her head. She would never get that comfort again. Not after what she did.

Andrea spotted Hope before Hope spotted her. She thought about turning, but there were no corners to duck around, no place to run to. They were on a direct collision course, and all Andrea could do was watch … as Hope walked right past her without so much as a glance in her direction. 

She let out the breath she’d been holding, turning to glance at Hope’s retreating back. At least the lights didn’t go out this time …

Andrea checked her move-in slip against the number on the door, making sure it matched before she pushed it open. At first, she thought the room was empty, but out stepped a tall, dark-haired girl dressed head to toe in the school’s colors.

“You must be Hope 2.0,” she said, looking Andrea up and down.

“Well, I do have my own name -”

“Don’t care.” Alyssa inspected her nails, waving her hand and changing the illusion charm to a new color to match her outfit. “I go to bed at 10:00, so no late-night visitors. And I don’t want ants, so no eating in the room. Later, roomie.”

Andrea jumped when Alyssa slammed the door behind her, almost dropping the small box of things in her arm. Having a roommate was certainly going to be interesting …