RIVER
Pacing up and down, the soles of Lexi’s sneakers scraped against the pavement. My stomach was in knots because I knew I had to get going soon since Mrs. Wilson wanted to talk. I knew she’d be timing me, and I had no energy to start the talk with a fight.
But I couldn’t leave without speaking to Lexi, who seemed to be held up. School had gone out five minutes ago.
I couldn't concentrate on my classes all day because the more I thought about the talk waiting for me at home, the more anxious I became.
It wasn’t just the uncertainty of not knowing where the conversation would go, or whether I’d even be able to hold it together, pretending to be Lexi when I didn’t know everything she carried.
But also what the moment meant. This was the first time Mrs. Wilson was maybe willing to lay
