“Relax! It’s just me!”
Tess grinned at me, her usual bubbly self. Her curls bounced as she swayed back and forth, still hugging me tightly.
“Tess! What the hell? Are you trying to break my ribs?” I managed to gasp out, feeling like I had just survived a bear hug. She finally released me, stepping back with a grin that could only be described as mischievous—like squeezing the life out of me had been her plan all along.
“I’ve been calling your name for ages! What, did you go deaf overnight or something?”
I let out a heavy sigh, slamming my locker shut. “No, I didn’t go deaf. I just... I didn’t hear you, okay?”
“Didn’t hear me?” Tess raised an eyebrow. “Girl, I was practically yelling your name across the hall. Are you okay?”
I opened my mouth to snap back, but the concern in
