The cool morning gradually shifted into a gentle warmth as Al arrived at the school grounds, the sunlight filtering through the trees in scattered golden streaks that seemed to illuminate the bustling activity of the senior students who had mostly gathered for the day.
Their presence brought a subtle liveliness to HIHS, lending a brief, yet necessary, respite to the lingering tension caused by the unusually heavy police presence stationed around the school.
From the distance near the main gate, he immediately noticed Rina waving enthusiastically in his direction, her figure unmistakable among the sea of students.
"Hey, Al!" she called out, her voice cutting through the ambient chatter like a familiar melody, immediately drawing his attention from the midst of the crowd.
Al could only respond with a simple nod, moving forward with deliberate steps toward her.
Rina appeared remarkably refreshed, her recovery evidently swift and efficient. He thought.
