ving faint streaks of dirt, and her hands fidgeted with the frayed strap of her backpack. The air smelled of burnt coffee and greasy fries, but it couldn't mask th

e dropped her bag with a thud. Her hazel eyes narrowed, scanning Elena's face-pale cheeks

loser, her hand hovering near Elena's shoulder, warm and hesitant, and that small gesture cracked something loose. "I..." Elena's voice broke, a raw edge scraping through. She sucked in a shaky

e word punched out, loud enough to draw a few curious glances from nearby tables. She lowered he

bling as the memory replayed-Josh's growl, Adam's panic. "They said it-out loud. They murdered my dad to get the shipping company. For some cartel deal-weapons or so

against the soft wool of Saph's sweater. The faint scent of lavender hit her, grounding her as Saph's breath warmed her ear. "I've got you," Saph murmured, her voice fierce despite its

you to take me in," she said, her voice steadier now but still rough. "It's too dangerous-your family..." She shook her head, her jaw tightening. "The

ght they will. Come on-let's get inside, sit down. You need food or something before you collapse." She g

corner table, the metal chair cold against Elena's thighs as she dropped into it. Saph slid in across from her, shoving

it, her mind racing. "I'm fine," she lied, her foot tapping a restless rhythm under the table. "Just... trying to

t first, you need a plan-somewhere safe to crash. My place is out, but..." She trailed off, chewing her

"Yeah," she said slowly, her mind latching onto the idea. "It's in Queens. Could be something there-papers, maybe even a

r mouth with a smirk that felt almost real. For a moment, the weight lifted, Saph's laughter a bright thread in t

as they stepped into the classroom. The teacher-Mr. Hargrove-was already at the board, chalk squeaking as he scribbled dates in uneven lines. She slid into her desk, th

nt shot her an annoyed glance. Sorry, Elena mouthed, but her mind was elsewhere-Adam's study, the car's screech, the mystery guy's smirk. She scratched a jagged line acros

d her, soft but urgent from t

ng it hard enough to tear the paper. "Yeah," she muttered, her voice low. "Just... planning." Saph's

ed upright, shoving her things into her bag with jerky movements. Saph caught her arm as they stepped into the

to breathe. "Thanks, Saph," she said, her lips twitching into

toward the cafeteria for the next break. "Co

was dark and twisting, but with Saph beside her, she felt a flicker of strength. Rev