JACE
Tuesday morning hit like a muted drum. The hallways smelled of floor cleaner, cheap perfume, and teenage sweat. I moved through it like a shadow, all senses alert, but trying not to look like I cared too much. I did care. Always too much. Cass. She was everywhere in my head, even when I told myself to shut it off. Her laugh, that flicker of stubborn fire in her eyes, the way she stood straight even when the world seemed intent on knocking her down it haunted me.
My locker opened with a soft click, and I caught sight of two girls whispering, a folded note passing between them like contraband. Drama. I should ignore it, but I glanced anyway. They were arguing over a rumor, someone cheating on someone else, another boy getting caught flirting, a girl storming off before anyone could re
