FRESH- BEL- AIR

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The hallways of Bel-Air Academy were alive with a rare, carefree energy. Posters for decision day and the winter formal lined the walls, laughter echoed between classrooms, and most students were still riding the post-Thanksgiving high. But at the center of the hallway, Will and Carlton were in their own world—beatboxing and dancing down the hall as they owned it.

"Princeton."

"Princeton, Princeton. Princeton. Hey!"

Alexandria and Lisa followed just behind them, shaking their heads but smiling.

"Carlton, I'm so happy for you," Alexandria said, her voice warm with sincerity as she bumped his shoulder.

"I know how bad you wanted this," Lisa added, her face lighting up as she looked at her cousin.

Carlton practically bounced in place, the joy radiating off him. "Man, it's like a bear getting off my chest after sitting on it for ten years."

"Dramatic, but valid," Alexandria said with a smirk. "You deserve this."

Just then, Will spotted someone near the stairwell. "Hey, Ms. Frankie, I saw you in the stands."

Ms. Frankie, holding a mop bucket, gave him a nod. "Nice dunk last night."

"Just wait till next week."

"Okay," she said dryly, clearly unimpressed but secretly fond of him.

Lisa nudged Carlton gently. "See? You boys are on the up. Not gonna lie, it was looking a little bit, uh, tenuous?"

Both Will and Carlton hummed in agreement. "Mm."

Alexandria raised an eyebrow, teasing. "Arrests, judges, license revoked..."

Carlton laughed lightly. "Uh, we just need to finish this Promising Choices program, and then I'm back in the whip."

"Yeah, it starts today," Will added, already unlocking his locker. "And then we're gonna get this shit expunged from our records and tell our grandkids about how we overcame."

"Or just never speak of it ever again."

"Mm, probably that. Yeah."

Alexandria leaned against the lockers, arms crossed, amused. "Y'all better not get brand new once your records clean. Still need rides to those community service events."

Carlton didn't even respond—his grin widened as Ms. B approached.

"It was tough this year, but you pulled off a miracle."

"Thanks to you, Ms. B," Carlton said, voice tinged with gratitude.

Ms. B gave him a warm but serious look. "I have a matter to discuss. See me during your free period?"

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, of course."

"Okay." She turned and walked back toward her office, heels clicking against the floor.