The day dragged on, and Blaze couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that settled in his gut. It was surprising—almost unsettling—that Alan was absent today. Blaze had half-expected him to burst into class, ready to stir up trouble after the confrontation with Mr. Patterson. But as the minutes ticked by, he found it hard to digest the fact that Alan was nowhere to be found.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the period, the class shuffled out into the hallway. Blaze felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety bubbling beneath the surface as he headed toward the gym for their next class. The gym was bustling with energy, the sounds of sneakers squeaking on the polished floor and shouts echoing off the walls filling the air.
As they entered the locker room, Luca nudged Blaze playfull
