Zoe's POV
The school hallway felt louder than usual — shoes scuffing, lockers slamming, laughter echoing like it belonged to some other world. But for a second, everything stilled when I saw her.
Ashley.
Her curly afro caught the sunlight that streamed through the high glass window, bouncing like a halo around her mixed-toned skin — honey brown kissed with cream. She was wearing a cropped denim jacket over a white tank top and black high-waisted pants that hugged her legs. The sight of her — familiar and new all at once — sent a rush of warmth through me I didn't realize I'd missed so much.
When her eyes met mine, her expression softened, and before I could think, I pulled her into a hug. A tight one.
"Hey, girl," I breathed against her shoulder. "How are you?"
Ashley leaned back slightly, searching my face. "I should be asking you that," she said, her voice light but careful. Then her gaze flicked sideways — to Seth, who stood just beside me.
