Chapter Text
The house was quiet in that soft, early way. Sunlight slipped through the curtains like it was trying not to wake anyone.
Milo pushed open the guest room door slowly.
“Julia?”
No response.
He frowned, then followed the faint sound of running water.
She was in the bathroom, standing on her toes slightly, brushing her teeth with intense focus. Her hair was messy, oversized hoodie slipping off one shoulder, very much I slept but my brain did not vibes.
Milo leaned against the doorframe.
“…Are you alive?”
Julia looked at him in the mirror and nodded, mouth full of toothpaste foam.
“Mmhmm.”
Milo squinted. “Why do you look like you’re brushing your teeth like it’s a life-or-death mission?”
Julia spit, rinsed, then sighed.
“Trauma.”
He snorted. “Figures.”
Then he paused. “Wait— is Trey still weirdly intense about dental hygiene?”
Julia groaned.
“Oh my gosh, YES. He’s OBSESSED.”
She mimicked Trey perfectly, dropping her voice into that overly serious older-brother tone:
“Julia. Open up. Let me see if you brushed good enough.”
Milo burst out laughing.
“I KNEW IT.”
“And anytime he’s home,” Julia continued, pointing her toothbrush like a weapon, “he’ll just appear in the doorway like a he was sent by the tooth fairy or something.”
Milo wiped his eyes. “That explains… so much.”
She smiled.
It was small, but it was real.
⸻
Then she froze.
Voices drifted down the hall.
Low. Adult. Careful.
Mrs. Lily.
And Milo’s dad.
“…the lawyer said there’s enough evidence,” Mrs. Lily was saying quietly. “The injury, the witnesses, the history—”
Julia’s stomach dropped.
Milo noticed instantly.
“Julia?”
She slowly turned off the sink.
Her heart started pounding.
“…evidence of what?”
She stepped closer to the door without realizing it.
Oscar spoke next, voice firm but calm.
“She used magic on a minor. That alone is serious.”
Mrs. Lily sighed. “And the rumors she spread beforehand— it establishes intent.”
Julia felt cold.
Intent.
Mrs. Lily continued, softer now. “Elise doesn’t want this to get back to the academy. She’s worried about… Riddle.”
Julia’s breath caught.
“No,” she whispered under her breath.
“No no no—”
Milo grabbed her wrist gently.
“Hey. Julia.”
She shook her head, eyes wide.
“He can’t find out,” she whispered. “If Riddle finds out—”
She swallowed hard, her throat tightening.
“He’ll blame himself. Or people will treat him differently! Or worse— he’ll go back.”
Milo frowned. “Back?”
“To her,” Julia said quietly. “To try to fix it.”
Her voice cracked.
“I don’t want him anywhere near her again.”
⸻
Milo’s dad’s voice carried again.
“We’ll do everything we can to keep Julia safe.”
Mrs. Lily replied softly, “She’s been brave long enough.”
Julia pressed her forehead against the wall.
She didn’t feel brave.
She felt tired.
And scared.
And in love with someone she wasn’t allowed to see.
Milo stood in front of her, blocking her from the door.
“Hey,” he said gently. “You don’t have to carry this alone.”
Julia looked up at him, eyes glossy.
“…I just want him to be okay.”
Milo nodded.
“I know.”