Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

This summer felt like it was cranking the heat up to eleven.

From Monday to Friday, I had my sweet escape in air-conditioned classrooms, labs, and the library.

Weekends? Just as awesome. My home's AC and chilled watermelon slices were the stuff of dreams.

Lounging in my cool haven, munching on watermelon while skimming through papers, it felt like a small slice of peace in a hectic world.

Leda dropped a message: "Hey, it's Saturday, no classes. Sure you don't want to hit the town?"

Roseanne sighed and said, "Leda, please, give me a break. With this heat... I can't even think about stepping outside."

"Not even for a little shopping, maybe to grab some cute outfits?!"

"I can just shop online."

try those in-store to know

my usual brands,

out the fresh produce at the supermarket?! You gotta leave the house for that!" Leda's frustration was palpable through the screen. Roseanne whispered back, almost guiltily, "Actually... home delivery isn't

silent for a

with work

always could read her like a

puzzled by her

David, and all those other friends... Where'd

heat. She hated the sun even more than Roseanne did. So when Leda

start..."

to

that idiot, had somehow gotten her phone's lock screen password and decided to browse some not-so-savory websites, infecting her phone

he could fix

go for another spa treatment at the Gibson Mansion a place where indulgences like emperor-grade jade bracelets and anti-aging treatments were