#Chapter 109: Animal Farm

Audrey I trudged into the house late that night, my feet aching as I kicked off my shoes. The sound of laughter and the faint glow of the TV drew me to the living room, where I found my friends sprawled across the couches, video game controllers in hand and half-empty pizza boxes strewn about. “Well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” Tina called out with a grin, pausing the game. I collapsed into an empty armchair, sinking blissfully into the soft cushions. “Don’t mind me,” I mumbled, my eyes already starting to close. “I’ll just be here, quietly dying.” “Rough day?” Betty asked, offering me a slice of cold pizza. I waved it away, too exhausted to even consider eating. “Oh, you have no idea.” Avis, munching on one of her famous chocolate chip cookies, said, “This is the second night this week you’ve come home late. What’s going on?” “Where do I even start?” I huffed, rubbing my temples as if that would somehow soothe my m