In that moment, I actually felt like I’d gotten something back—like being a teenager again, running wild on campus, carefree and light, like nothing could touch me.

Compared to me, Joy was in no mood to enjoy anything.

By the time she stormed out, Ms. Wood and I had already bolted five or six meters away.

Joy chased after us in her heels for a few steps, but the shoes bit into her feet so hard she had to stop. Furious, she shouted, “Stop right ...