Val's P.O.V

The hospital’s air still clung to my skin as the taxi pulled up at the school gates. The familiar sprawl of the campus opened before me: weathered walls, sprawling lawns, and the steady buzz of students milling around with backpacks slung carelessly over shoulders.

Brielle hopped out first, her chatter spilling into the cool Monday morning. Reynolds followed, carrying my smaller bag, though I’d protested I could manage it. Jax lingered behind, his hand hovering close to mine ...