Just as I headed back to my bedroom to continue going through Ava's diary, a sharp, insistent ring pierced the quiet. The doorbell. A jolt of surprise coursed through me. Alexander couldn't have forgotten something, could he? He'd just left, his goodbye kiss still warm on my cheek.
Hurrying to the door, I swung it open, a smile already forming. It faltered halfway up. Via stood there, looking...wrong. Her usual vibrant clothes, the ones that seemed to announce her arrival before she even spoke, were replaced by a subdued gray pantsuit. Even more disturbing, the ever-present sparkle in her eyes was dimmed, replaced by a dull ache.
"Via? What's wrong?" The question tumbled out before I could stop it.
She offered a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Hey, Ev. Just passing by. Thought you might need something since you said you couldn't come out last night." She held up a brown nylon bag, the telltale logo of our favorite Chinese place peeking through.