The soft clatter of cutlery and the low hum of morning conversation filled the academy cafeteria. Sunlight spilled through the tall, enchanted windows, casting warm light over the rows of students beginning their day. Elena sat at one of the side tables, a tray in front of her mostly untouched—just a piece of bread and a cup of steaming herbal tea.
Her two closest friends, Mira and Tessa, sat on either side of her. Mira, the more talkative of the two, tapped her spoon restlessly against her bowl of oatmeal.
"Do you really think she's alright?" she asked, her voice hushed but pressing. "It's been a week, Elena."
Elena stirred her tea, watching the steam curl upward before answering.
"Let's not assume the worst. There's still no evidence of anything bad happening," she said, her tone calm but tight around the edges. "We can't jump to conclusions."
