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“I just want to make sure you’re being cared for and not wandering.”

I nodded my head to the left, towards Stella.

“I’m good.”

His corner lip twitched.

“Very well, then.” He said. “Lovely to see you, Stella.”

Stella’s eyes widened as he brushed past. She followed his movement until he rounded the corner.

“He knows my name.”

I snorted and rolled my eyes before placing my hand on her shoulder.

“Let’s go,” I said. “I need help finding room 45E.”

??

5

“Now I only let me down.”

Block Me Out, Gracie Abrams

Asher

I heard a tapping on the window before it became a pitter-patter. The clouds had moved over the school, changing the sky into a coal black. The rain doused the grass in water, making the lush green more prominent.

I placed my head in my hand as I looked toward the school entryway, wishing I was on my way home instead of trapped inside. This week has been draining, and it was only Tuesday. I battled to keep my eyes open as Mrs. Norbert droned on about living organisms.

“Are you paying attention, Mr. Hart?”

I could feel eyes on me, but I never removed my gaze from the window.

“Yes.”

“Please enlighten me on what I was discussing.”

“Some droning speech about living organisms.”

Snickers infiltrated the classroom, but I didn’t indulge them. The bell interrupted Mrs. Norbert’s imminent lecture.

“Mr. Hart, a word?”

I sighed. She waited until all the kids were out of the class before speaking.

“Your grades are slipping.”

She handed me a paper. Yesterday’s quiz.

“The big, red D gives it away.” I said, shoving the paper in my back pocket.

“This isn’t a joke, Asher.” She said. “It’s college acceptance time, and you used to be the prime candidate.”

My jaw clenched.

“That was a year ago,” I said. “Things changed.”