The sun was shining as if trying to prove that the world was brighter than I felt it to be.
The schoolyard was packed, students huddled in groups, voices swelling – a constant buzzing like a beehive.
The laughter, the clicking of soda cans, the squeaking of sneakers – everything vibrated as if life here was unshakable. Only I stood there feeling like I was watching through glass.
I leaned against the railing next to Fiona, Jonas, and Mira.
Fiona was talking about some math quiz, Jonas was balancing his ball on his fingertips as usual, and Mira was taking one photo after another – the sky, the courtyard, the students who didn't know they were being captured.
I was barely listening. My thoughts wandered, searching.
Faces everywhere, shadows, movements – but none of them was him.
No Alaric.
My heart sank with each student who wasn't him.
