Tiffany’s eyes darted to the clock for the hundredth time that afternoon, her stomach twisting as she registered the empty seat beside her.

Two days. Jacob had been absent for two whole days now.

She forced her gaze back to the textbook in front of her, but the words blurred together. Her pencil tapped an anxious rhythm on the desk.

“Miss Foster, is there a problem?” Mrs. Hawthorne’s stern voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.

Tiffany’s cheeks flushed. “No, ma’am. ...