The word accident started to feel like a lie.
It followed me downstairs.
It sat with me at the breakfast table.
It stayed in my head even when Lucas was talking.
“…and then the coach actually said I might get benched if I miss another practice,” he was saying.
I nodded at the right moments.
Smiled when I was supposed to.
But I wasn’t really listening.
Because all I could see was the headline on my phone.
Daniel Vance — Case Closed as Accident.
The same word.
The same conclusion.
The same silence around it.
“Jackie.”
Lucas snapped his fingers lightly in front of me.
“Earth to Jackie.”
I blinked.
“Sorry.”
“You disappeared for a second.”
“I’m here.”
“Physically, yes.”
I forced a small smile.
“Just tired.”
“That’s becoming your default excuse.”
“Maybe it’s true.”
Lucas
