Cassie’s POV.
It was Thursday, and I was trying my best to act normal. The breeze was soft that morning, warm against my cheeks as Sandy and I stepped onto campus and made our way to the bench under the jacaranda tree. I spotted Nathan already sitting there, bent over a textbook, his leg bouncing gently to a silent rhythm. He looked up as we approached, gave a small smile, and scooted over to make space.
I sat down beside Sandy, trying to relax, but I couldn’t help glancing around every few seconds. Every shadow felt like it could shift into someone I didn’t want to see. I knew Jimmy and his gang weren’t likely to just show up here in broad daylight, but my body didn’t trust that logic yet. My nerves were still recovering, and my thoughts kept dragging me back to that alley, to the sharp
