CHAPTER 18: THE GIRL EVERYONE EXPECTED
(LORAIN’S POV)
By three forty-five, the central reading room of the main library was stifling.
High vaulted ceilings and towering stained-glass windows gave the hall the grand, quiet feel of a cathedral, but today, every scrape of a wooden chair felt magnified. Every time a student walked past my table, their steps slowed just enough to steal a glance at my screen.
Spread out across the dark oak wood were five different budget spreadsheets for the Sports & Leadership Gala, a floor plan of the Northlake Athletic Arena, and three red-inked drafts of the opening itinerary.
"She's still here," a girl whispered two tables down, leaning in close to her friend while pulling out her phone. "Did you see the latest post on Northlake Confidential? Someone t
