It was a warm conversation before Rose finally ended the call, a small smile lingering on her lips. She set her phone back in the cup holder, shifted gears, and kept driving toward her destination. The further she drove, the quieter the world became. The busy hum of the city faded into the backgrou
After classes ended for the day, Rose said goodbye to her two friends. Sophia mentioned she was taking Kehlani to one of her family’s restaurants, while Rose told them she’d join later—once Sandra sent her the address. Rose sat in her car, fastening her seatbelt. The late afternoon sun filtered thr
It didn’t take Rose long to find them. There were three of them—two girls and a boy—sophomores by uniform badge. She recognized their faces easily now. They had been whispering in the hallway that morning. And one of them—the taller girl with braids—had been especially loud by the lockers, throwing
As the final bell of the period echoed through the hallway, students flooded out of classrooms like a released tide. Rose didn’t linger. She stood,glancing at Kehlani. “Let’s go,” she said. They navigated the crowded corridors with purpose, cutting through clusters of students until they reached
When Rose stepped back into the classroom, the weight of her discovery still clung to her. Kehlani glanced up from her desk, her eyes sharp. “You look like someone who just clawed something out of a grave,” she murmured. Rose slid into her seat with a sigh. “I might have.” Kehlani leaned closer,
The halls were quieter after lunch, the chatter reduced to a low hum as students moved between classes. But Rose wasn’t heading back just yet. She slipped down the side corridor that led to the faculty offices near the gym, her steps quiet but deliberate. She had already checked the schedule and kn