Shattered ✓

T H I R T Y - S I X

Alexa

Andrew and I made our way over to Michael, Jackson and Elliot, who had gotten here before us, like they always do.

"Alexa!" Michael exclaimed, quickly rushing for a hug and practically squeezing the life out of me.

"Michael!" I laughed as he squeezed me so tightly I thought I might pop. "Okay, okay! You can let go now."

Michael pouted but finally loosened his grip, stepping back with a grin so bright it could outshine the sun. "I missed you last week! School was so boring without you."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure. What's new?"

"Nothing exciting, honestly," Jackson said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. His green eyes scanned the hallway like he was keeping watch for trouble, which wasn't unusual for him. "Unless you count Michael driving everyone nuts."

"I wasn't that bad!" Michael protested.

"You ran across the cafeteria yelling about being the 'Lunch King,'" Elliot said flatly, not even looking up from the book in his hands.

"That was important," Michael argued, puffing out his chest. "Someone had to establish order."

Andrew and I burst out laughing, and even Elliot cracked a small smile, though he tried to hide it behind his book.

It felt good to laugh, to feel normal, even if it was just for a moment. But in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease. Benny was still out there. Every time I turned a corner or walked into a room, I expected to see him. It was exhausting.

"Earth to Alexa," Jackson said, waving a hand in front of my face. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "I'm just tired."

Andrew frowned beside me but didn't say anything. He knew I wasn't telling the full truth, but thankfully, he let it slide.

The warning bell rang, and we all groaned.

"Back to prison," Michael muttered dramatically.

"See you at lunch," Andrew said, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze before heading to his class.

I followed Jackson and Michael down the hall while Elliot lingered a moment, staring after me with an unreadable expression before heading in the opposite direction.

Class felt endless.

I kept glancing at the clock, willing the hands to move faster. My teacher droned on about algebra, but my mind was elsewhere. I caught myself doodling on the edge of my notebook—a flower, a heart, and... a pair of initials.

E.L.

My face flushed as I quickly scribbled over it. Why would I write Elliot's initials? It didn't mean anything. It didn't.

Right?

"Alexa, are you paying attention?" Mrs. Monroe's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Y-Yes, ma'am," I stammered, sitting up straighter.

She raised an eyebrow but didn't press it, thankfully.

The rest of the class passed in a blur. By the time the bell rang, I practically bolted out of the room, eager to find my friends.

Lunch was chaotic, as usual.

Michael was talking a mile a minute about some new anime he'd started watching, Jackson was teasing him relentlessly, and Andrew was trying to steal food off my

Elliot, as usual, was quietly reading, though he seemed a little more distant than normal. I wanted to ask him if he was okay, but I wasn't sure how to bring it up without everyone else jumping in.