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Instead of going back to school, Yulia dropped him off at home. There was only one class period left anyway. She parked in front, and they both got out.

Hollis had long since dried his face, and Annie couldn’t have seen him, she’d been facing the window the whole time. But Yulia cupped his cheek anyway and looked into his eyes.

“Are you all right?”

Hollis bit his lip.

“Yeah. I’m fine. I’ll be fine, I think.”

She stared at him hard, a small line of concern appearing between her eyebrows, but eventually let him go. Smiled, even.

“You’d better be,” she said, then slapped at his face light and familiar.

Yulia kissed his forehead again, then messed up his hair.

“Text us later. Don’t forget.”