Strange Emptiness

Chloe

I stayed on the ground for a few seconds after Sasha left, trying to get my breathing under control. My throat burned every time I swallowed, and when I tried to inhale deeper, my chest tightened. My hands were shaking as I gathered my books, and the skin on my palms stung where I’d scraped it. I pushed myself up slowly, keeping my back close to the library wall.

From the corner of my eye I