Jovie kept her head down, pushing her food around the plate, tight-lipped as ever.
Celena's own appetite vanished at the sight. She set her utensils aside and exchanged a look with Liam, who let out a resigned sigh. "I'm just as in the dark as you are. She's been like this since she got home."
Celena's worry deepened, her brows knitting together. "What on earth happened? Do you think... maybe she got bullied by the other kids at school?"
Celena's worry was not unfounded. Since she had decided Jovie would start school, she had been glued to any news about schools, especially the stories about bullying that seemed to pop up too often.
Jovie was usually a bundle of energy, but today, after her first day at school, something was off. Celena's heart tightened with concern.
"Jovie, honey, did someone at school pick on you?? Or is there something else bothering you? Can you talk to Mommy about it?" Celena asked, her voice a mix of warmth and worry.
Jovie's thoughts flashed to the taunts
