(Avery)
By the time lunch came, I was exhausted. I had gone back to class after the office visit, but I barely remembered anything the teacher said. My mind was stuck on the phone call. On the man asking about me. On the questions he wanted answered.
When the bell rang, I grabbed my bag and walked out. The hallway was crowded with students heading to the cafeteria or their lockers. I kept my head down and moved with the crowd.
Then I saw that Elias, Luca, and Jackson were waiting. Jackson had his hands in his pockets, Luca was leaning against the wall, and Elias stood with his arms crossed.
"Hey," I said, walking over.
"Ready for lunch?" Luca asked.
"Yeah," I said.
We walked to the cafeteria together. They stayed close to me, like they always did. students glanced at us as we passed
