FRESH- BEL- AIR

Chapter Thirty One

It had been weeks since senior lock-in, and Alexandria had gone ghost—at least where Will was concerned.

She dodged him like it was her job. If she saw him heading down one hallway, she ducked down another. If she visited the Banks' house to check in on Baby Nikki, she made sure to only stop by when she knew Will wasn't around.

Viv even caught on and would text her when he was out for practice or running errands, and Alexandria would slide in and slide right back out before he ever pulled into the driveway.

It wasn't pettiness. It was preservation.

She walked through the school now, shoulder to shoulder with Lisa, as the end-of-year announcements played over the intercom. Students were lingering at lockers, signing yearbooks, and taking pictures in caps and gowns. The air buzzed with freedom.

"Please clean out your lockers and pick up your yearbooks. Congratulations to all of our graduates!"

Alexandria's eyes flicked up toward the speaker, then back down, shifting her tote bag higher on her shoulder.

Lisa looked over at her, expression cautious. "Have you talked to him?"

Alexandria didn't answer right away.

Lisa slowed her steps, tugging lightly on her arm to get her to stop. "Lex?"

She sighed. "No. I've got nothing to say to him."

Lisa frowned. "You always have something to say to Will."

"Not anymore." She looked away, watching a group of classmates pose in front of the senior mural. "I meant what I said that night. I don't need someone in my life who tries to shame me when I'm being honest. Who weaponizes what I share."

Lisa bit her bottom lip, thinking carefully. "I get that. I do. But he's been... off. Quiet. Moody. I caught him staring at your name in the yearbook during advisory yesterday."

Alexandria crossed her arms. "That's not my problem. He had the chance to be real with me. He didn't take it. I'm not going backwards for someone who didn't respect me in the moment that counted."

Lisa nodded slowly, studying her face. "So this is it?"

Alexandria's voice was calm but certain. "This is me choosing myself. That's what this summer's gonna be about."

Lisa exhaled and looped her arm through hers again as they continued walking. "Then let's make it one for the books. You, me, and Baby Nikki. Maybe a little chaos. But only the good kind."

Alexandria finally cracked a smile. "The very best kind."

As they turned the corner, the hallway behind them filled with more graduates and the sound of yearbooks opening and futures shifting. But Alexandria kept her eyes forward—leaving the past where it belonged.