Broken Hands

75. Russell's mad

The loud, overlapping voices in Marvin Academy's crowded hall made it nearly impossible for Russell to catch everything Milo was saying. The two navigated through the bustling mass of students, the polished floors reflecting the sunlight streaming through the tall windows. Marvin's wide halls were always alive with activity—students eager to leave, some chatting in groups, others darting between lockers and classrooms.

"You can't be serious—how do they even do that?" Milo asked, his voice raised to compete with the noise as they passed a group of blond girls huddled by a locker.

Among them was Emily.

She didn't make eye contact, but Russell caught the way her smile faltered the moment she noticed him. He looked at her, his expression unreadable, but he couldn't ignore how different she looked.

Emily had grown thinner, her frame seeming frail under her oversized blazer. Her long blond hair, which she'd always worn in a graceful ponytail during her cheerleading days, had been chopped to shoulder length, uneven and unstyled. Russell had also heard she'd quit the cheerleading team.

For a moment, the pang of guilt and sadness struck him. She deserves better than what's been happening. Amber going public with everything... it wasn't appropriate. Russell didn't know how Amber found out. Maybe Grayson told her? He doubted it but still couldn't shake the thought.

Russell had been the one to intervene when the hate toward Emily began spreading—rumors, mocking whispers in the halls, and side comments that followed her wherever she went. It wasn't easy, but he'd managed to smooth over the tension with carefully chosen words, deflecting attention away from her as best as he could. Partly, at least. Some damage couldn't be undone.

He tore his eyes away and refocused on Milo, letting Emily fade into the background.

"Yeah, they're crazy," Russell replied, catching up on Milo's earlier comment. "But I love it. We've got a head start with Durham, and Grayson's really holding up."

"It's been a while, though," Milo said, thoughtfully. "Maybe I'll pop in with Savanna on Saturday for the study. I really need that head start, Russ."

Russell paused for a moment, considering. "Okay. I don't have practice, so it should be good. Besides, we'll be doing Grayson a huge favor, helping him with his individual projects and all. Four brains are more than enough."

Milo nodded eagerly, his smile widening. "See you at lunch, then. We'll break the news to Savanna and Julian."

Russell returned the smile, watching as Milo disappeared into the crowd. He had a free period, and the coach had already instructed the team to squeeze in extra practices before exams made scheduling impossible.

As Russell made his way toward the locker room, Grace appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Her enthusiasm was like a burst of energy, completely at odds with the noise and bustle around them.

"Russell!" she called, her grin lighting up her face as she bounded toward him, clutching a small ball in her hands.

He stopped, surprised but amused. Grace had changed a lot recently. Her ponytails were gone, replaced by soft, loose waves. The bulky braces that had defined her smile for so long were gone too, leaving her teeth straight and gleaming with cute pink braces. She looked more polished now—still the same Grace, but like someone who'd undergone a Cinderella transformation.

"Guess what?" she said, practically bouncing on her heels.

"What?" Russell asked, adjusting the strap of his bag as he gave her his full attention.

"I got two tickets to Moana!" she exclaimed, holding up the tickets like they were the golden prize. Her grin widened in a way that seemed almost cartoonish, her excitement infectious.