Jackson

The walk to the administration office felt longer than it should have.

Not physically.

Mentally.

Because every step there felt like I was dragging the entire school’s stupidity behind me.

Mariah walked beside me, quiet in a way that wasn’t normal for her. Usually she filled space with something—sarcasm, commentary, a jab at someone’s outfit.

Today she was just… there.

Calm on the outside.

I knew her well enough to know that meant she was pissed.

Behind us, Noah had ...