“Derick, Derick…”He heard his name the moment he stepped through the school gate.Students slowed, heads turning instinctively as he walked past, surprise flickering in their eyes, his shoulders heavy, his steps dragging as if the ground resisted him. Derick kept his gaze fixed on the pavement, shame sitting thick in his chest. He didn’t need to look back to know who was calling him. Monica, but he ignored her.“Derick…”Her voice followed him again.He quickened his pace, hoping she would get the hint, but her footsteps sped up behind him.“Derick, wait.”She jogged to his side, slightly breathless. “Hey, Derick. I was calling you.”“Yeah,” he muttered without stopping.She studied him as they walked, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Is something wrong with your car? You didn’t drive today.”“Yeah,” Derick replied again, his tone flat, his stride lengthening.Monica frowned but stayed beside him, clearly not ready to let the conversation end there.“I heard about what happened,” she sa
Read more