11

"You know the drill. When the tumor kicks in, get out of the crowd."

"It's hard. I feel frozen. Like I'm trapped inside my body."

Taylor set the clipboard down.

"By the way—Leigh said you have a boyfriend now. Clover?"

Cami blinked, surprised.

"Please don't tell my mom."

"It's fine to date at seventeen. But Clover? The rich boy who uses girls? Really, Cami?"

"He's different with me. He's... nice. And cute."

Taylor gave her a look.

"Be careful. You're like a daughter to me."

"I will. I promise."

Taylor hugged her tight.

"I'll keep praying for you, Cami. Being happy is part of the healing, okay?"

Cami sniffled, her arms tightening around her.

"Okay."

5PM – JORDAN'S WORLD

Jordan's phone buzzed.

Mom: COME HOME QUICK, SON. I'M SHIVERING

Momo: LOOK UP

He raised his head. Momo was standing in front of the school, waving.

"You left the restaurant?" he asked, annoyed.

"I lied to the boss. Wanted to see you. I've missed you."

"I didn't ask you to come."

"I've been waiting since 4 PM..."

"My mom's sick. I'm heading home."

"Will you come tomorrow?"

"I'll try."

"Don't try. Come."

He sighed. "Fine. I'll come."

She beamed.

"Bye, teddy!"

Later, her phone rang. It was her boss.

"Did he come with you?"

"N-no." The call ended.

A sleek black car rolled up. Her phone buzzed again.

Melody: Get into the car in front of you.

She obeyed—and found Melody inside.

"I... I can explain."

"You don't have to. I just need your help."

Their eyes locked.

CAR PARK – CLOVER'S MOMENT

Clover held Cami's hand as they walked slowly.

"Look at me," he said.

She glanced up with pain in her eyes.

"Don't feel bad about how I treated you. I just want to see you smile now."

"Smile for me, Cami."

She forced one.

He opened his arms.

"A hug?" she asked.

"Mn."

She hesitated, then stepped in. He hugged her tight... but she felt nothing.

No spark. No butterflies.

Not like with Jordan.

"Want me to buy you something tomorrow?"

"If you want..."

"I'll get you the whole world."

He kissed her forehead and she pulled away, flustered.

"Let's go. It's getting late."

JORDAN'S APARTMENT

Jordan dropped his bag and rushed to his mom.

"You okay?"

"Just cold..." she shivered.

"You eat anything?"

"No. Just stay here."

He wrapped her in his blazer and pulled her close.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. I love you, Mom."

CAMI'S APARTMENT

Cami did the dishes, thinking about Jordan's hug.

So different from Clover's.

So real.

"CAMI!"

She jumped. Lexi had entered.

"I found these ruined notes. What happened?"

Cami froze.

"Those bullies... they trashed my locker."

Lexi's eyes darkened.

"You're being bullied?"

J.D HIGH – NEXT DAY

A sleek black car pulled up.

A stiletto heel stepped out. Brown suit. Sharp glasses. Pure power.

It was Lexi.

Cami followed like a drenched kitten.

Lexi marched straight to the classroom. Mrs. Mackwin tried to intervene.

Lexi pulled a gun.

"Still want to know who I am?"

Mrs. Mackwin froze.

"No, ma'am. You're in charge now."

Lexi leaned on the desk.

"Sweetheart, point out the bastards."Cami stepped up.

"Genesis. Cat. Maggie... stand."

The class went still.

And those three?

Their souls left their bodies.

"Stand…!"

The single word sliced through the silence, freezing their limbs like ice. Their feet refused to obey.

Cami sensed the heavy hush around her.

"I said, stand! Stand!" Her tiny voice cracked with urgency, but still, no one moved. Shock and fear held them captive.

Lexi raised her pistol and fired a sharp shot at the glass. It shattered into a thousand glittering shards.

The class erupted in panic, students scrambling to the back of the room.

Cat and Maggie scrambled up, but Genesis stayed seated—fear battling with defiance. She knew Lexi wouldn't dare pull the trigger on her.

Lexi strode over and slapped Genesis hard across the face. Genesis clenched her teeth tight.

"Stand, deaf?" Lexi spat. At last, Genesis rose, face unreadable.

Lexi grabbed their bags, dumping books onto their desks with a cruel flourish.

"You'll do one simple thing for me," Lexi snarled.

"Pick a book. Tear it up. Eat it. And I want to see you swallowing every damn piece. You've got thirty seconds. Start!"

Frantic hands tore at pages, stuffing paper into mouths. Maggie sobbed, choking, eyes swimming red with pain.

Lexi barked at Cat, "Don't slack off. Hurry your dinner—time's running out!"

Genesis hesitated, clutching her book.

Lexi stopped beside her, gun gleaming in her hand.

"You'd rather taste my bullet than paper, huh?"

"I never told your daughter to chew her books, so I won't risk my health," Genesis sneered.