"Syd!" Alison's enthusiastic arrival at my locker almost drove me face-first into the thin door. She was smiling, though her vulnerability hovered just behind it. At least she was in a good mood after yesterday's pouting. "Sorry I'm late." She rolled her eyes. "My flat iron died, can you imagine?" Her hands went to the artful pile she'd created out of her blonde hair. "I had to settle for this nest."

"Looks great, Al." I secured my stuff inside the narrow box before jamming it ...