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I scanned her driveway, my eyes squinting against the cold as I tried to determine where to look. I combed through the snow. My fingers were growing numb, but my resolve was unwavering. Each breath formed a cloud of mist in the frosty air. The pendant could be anywhere, and small enough to be lost in the abyss of snow. With each handful, my eyes scanned the ground for any signs of it. Another hour must have passed, and I was slowly losing hope.

Until a glint of silver caught my eye.

My heart knocked against my ribcage as I brushed away the snow like a dog digging for a bone. A surge of triumph burst through me as I plucked the pendant from the ice. I brushed the icicles away with my thumb before tucking it into my coat pocket. I’d spent hours in the bitter cold. I dug through piles of snow, but it was all worth it, knowing it would put a smile back on her face.

??

I took my time getting to class. It was rare for the halls to be so peaceful, and I wanted to take advantage of it. I strutted with my hands tucked into my front pockets and hummed Adam’s Song by Blink-182. I turned the corner and bumped into Mr. Lombard—the strictest teacher in school.

“This seems to be a habit for you, Mr. Hart.” He said as he glared at me over the rim of his glasses.

“I missed the bus.”

“If that’s the case, perhaps it would benefit you to wake up earlier.”

I shrugged.

“I promise I will try.” I said, but he didn’t fall for my empty promise.

“You can try harder in detention.” He said. “You’re familiar enough with it by now.”

“Yes, sir.” I said, trying not to make it obvious how little I cared.

Neither of us spoke. We awkwardly hovered in the hallway.

“Get to class.” He said, before walking past me to torment the next kid he bumped into.

“Asher.” I heard a whisper.

I looked around for the source of the noise before someone pulled me into the shadowy confines of an abandoned classroom.

“You won’t believe what happened.” Benjamin said with a hint of urgency.

“Hello to you too.”

“Whatever.” He said, brushing my sarcasm off. “It’s about Sawyer.”

My ears perked at the mention of her. Benjamin glanced around as if he was afraid someone was listening in.

“Sawyer and Ava got into a fight in the art classroom.”

My eyes widened in shock. Sawyer Whitlock?

“Hilarious, Ben.”

“I’m serious.” He said, tossing his hands up before dropping them. “I saw the whole thing.”

“Please tell me you got it on video.”

“Of course I did.” He said, excitement bubbling in his voice.

As he took out his phone to show me the video, I couldn’t help but smirk. It seemed I’d be having a new detention buddy.

??

The detention door creaked open as I entered, and all eyes fell on me. I ignored them and confidently strutted inside. My gaze swept around the room for Sawyer. She sat at a desk near the front, her nose buried in a book, unaware of my arrival. I leaned against the desk beside her.

“Hey there, brawler.”