CHAPTER 22
Lila's POV
The last bell sounded like a starter's pistol, announcing the daily race to exit Willow Creek High School. Lila quickly packed her possessions, her actions crisp and efficient due to tight habit. She refused to stay any longer than necessary in these soul-crushing passageways.
Clutching her bags tightly, she made her way to the acknowledged meeting location near the eastern exit, where Mia always waited. Sure enough, her best friend was already stationed there, passively looking through some irrelevant feed on her phone.
As Lila arrived, Mia looked up, her eyes crinkling warmly as she pocketed the device. "Here you are! I was beginning to suspect you were held up trying to debate the finer points of The Odyssey with another teacher."
Lila's lips jerked upward, fo
