HOW TO MAKE DIAMONDS

THREE

The next morning came too soon, dragging her back into the monotonous routine of school. She arrived on her bike as usual, helmet on, face hidden behind tinted glass. It was her armor, the barrier that kept the world at bay. As she walked through the school gates, the whispers started again. She felt them brush against her like an unwelcome breeze, but she pushed them aside.

Lunch was the same. She sat a few seats away from Kyle and Carter, earphones in, sketchbook open. Only today, something was different. Today, there was a note tucked into her sketchbook when she opened it.

She paused, frowning at the folded piece of paper. It wasn't from Amber—she knew that much. Amber had her own ways of checking in, and they didn't involve cryptic notes. Jade glanced around the cafeteria, scanning the faces for any sign of the culprit, but found none.

Curiosity tugged at her. Against her better judgment, she unfolded the note. Inside, it was simple, almost understated:

"If you ever need to disappear for a bit, the art room's usually empty during lunch. – C"

She blinked at the message, her eyes darting around the cafeteria. Carter? She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He was talking animatedly with Kyle, not looking her way, as if he had nothing to do with it.

The note was unexpected. It wasn't pushy or demanding, just... there. A quiet offering of space. It wasn't an intrusion, more like a subtle acknowledgment. He wasn't trying to get her to open up or force his way into her world. He was just giving her an option.

Jade felt a mix of emotions—surprise, relief, and maybe a touch of gratitude. But she quickly shoved those feelings down, folding the note and tucking it back into her sketchbook. She wasn't about to run off to the art room just because someone offered her a place to hide.

Still, the gesture didn't go unnoticed. She glanced at Carter again, who was now laughing at something Kyle said, his smile easy and unguarded. Maybe he was more perceptive than she'd given him credit for.

It was a considerate gesture, sure, but most of all it made her uneasy. She didn't need someone here trying to be her savior—especially not someone like Carter. She already had friends in New York who had her back, who knew her inside and out. She didn't need to start collecting new ones.

For the rest of the day, the note weighed on her. It wasn't the offer of an escape that bothered her; it was the fact that he had noticed she might need one. She'd been careful to keep everyone at arm's length, to avoid letting anyone see through the cracks. And yet, somehow, he'd seen something.

As the final bell rang, she found herself standing outside the art room, the one Carter had mentioned. She stared at the door for a long moment, the slight crack inviting her in. A part of her wanted to walk in, to take the offer for what it was. But another part of her—the bigger part—was wary. This wasn't what she wanted. She wasn't here to find comfort or connection. She was here to survive this year and get out.

Before she could decide, footsteps echoed in the hallway. She turned sharply, ready to brush off whoever it was. Carter appeared at the corner, slowing down when he saw her.

"Didn't think you'd actually show up," he remarked casually, stopping a few feet away.

"I didn't," she shot back, crossing her arms defensively. "I was just passing by."

He nodded, not pushing further. "Good. Because it's not like I'm keeping tabs on you or anything. Just figured you might need a heads-up if you wanted to avoid certain people."

Jade narrowed her eyes. "You think I need help avoiding people?"

Carter shrugged, unbothered. "No, I think you're pretty good at that already. But everyone can use a break from the chaos sometimes."