The call came at midnight.
I was in bed, not sleeping, staring at the ceiling. The city lights bled through the curtains, painting pale lines across the walls. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I reached for it, my heart already racing.
The screen read Crestwood Academy.
I answered immediately. "Hello?"
"Miss Grace, this is Nurse Rita." Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. "Milly had a small asthma flare this evening. She's stable now, but she was asking for you."
I sat up, the sheets pooling around me. "Is she okay? Can I talk to her?"
"Of course. One moment."
There was a pause, then Milly's small voice came on the line. It was tired, a little raspy.
"Gracie?"
"Hey, baby." I pressed the phone to my ear, my chest tightening. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. They
