Two lives.

09. Rolled laughter

We made our way through the forest, the dense canopy above casting shadows that stretched and shifted with each step. It was hard to see, the ground rough and uneven, but Ophelia, Lucifer, and Caylus moved confidently as if they'd walked this path a thousand times.

Walking beside me, Caylus glanced over. "So... did you do something to get sent here?"

I hesitated, the memory of that night still vivid. I could almost feel the heat from the fire and the adrenaline as the firework shot toward me and Adrian. "My... friends lit a field on fire at a party, and I ended up taking the blame," I admitted, keeping my voice low.

Caylus let out a low whistle, raising his eyebrows. "Yikes. Guess you were the lucky one?"

"Or the unlucky one, depending on how you look at it," I said with a half-smile.

He chuckled softly, nudging a branch aside as we walked. "You're brave, though, taking the hit for everyone. I wouldn't have pegged you for a fire-starter."

"Neither would I," I replied, feeling a bit more comfortable. "What about you? Why are you here?"

Caylus shrugged, a hint of a smirk on his face. "Nothing nearly as dramatic. Just... had a smoking problem, and too little self-control, I tend to say things I don't really mean. My Mom didn't like it when I spoke my mind, and she thought a few 'disciplinary adjustments' might help."

I smiled. "So she sent you here to get 'fixed'?"

"Basically." He laughed. "Though I think it'll take more than 'discipline' to change me."

"Honestly, same," I replied, feeling a little lighter, like I could finally breathe around someone who understood.

Ahead, Ophelia turned back, her eyes twinkling in the dark. "You two better not be slowing down back there!"

"Yeah, yeah, we're coming," Caylus teased, grinning. Then he gave me a wink and leaned in. "Welcome to Washington boarding school for the troubled youth."

I couldn't help but smile, feeling strangely glad I'd agreed to come along tonight.

After what felt like an eternity walking through the dark, eerie forest, we finally emerged into a clearing bustling with other kids. At least 150 of them, if not more. It wasn't a wild party but rather a chill gathering. Abandoned couches and mismatched chairs were scattered haphazardly, with groups of kids laughing and sharing stories on them.

In the center of the clearing, a bonfire crackled, casting a warm glow that illuminated the faces of those gathered around it. The flickering flames danced, creating playful shadows against the backdrop of towering trees. It was really the only light that helped see at the dark of the night.

"How do none of the teachers see this?" I asked Caylus, still bewildered by the sheer audacity of it all.

"Honestly, I don't really know," he replied with a shrug, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But we're far enough out that they probably can't see or hear us."

I followed him toward two empty couches facing each other, a coffee table sitting between them like a makeshift throne for the night. Ophelia and Lucifer trailed behind us, their laughter echoing in the stillness of the forest.

I sank into one end of the couch, feeling its worn cushions envelop me, while Ophelia settled in beside me. Lucifer and Caylus took their places on the other couch, their banter filling the air with energy.

As I listened, Caylus launched into a story about the antics of other students at the school. "Do you remember when Ekko tried to jump over Kenny's shoulders?" he began, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Kenny turned at the exact moment, and Ekko just—boom! Right on his face!"