“Adeline Ross,” I say, hoping I don’t sound as nervous as I feel.
Her face lights up. “Oh! Free meal pass, right?”
I blink. “Uh, no, I don’t have one.”
She checks her list. “Actually, you do. It was updated yesterday.”
Lilia leans in, whispering loudly, “Who cares why? Free food is free food!”
I accept the tray, but unease settles in. Why would I have a meal pass? It makes no sense. “Did the school upgrade you to a free meal pass or something?” Bea asks as we walk to our table.
“Well, if they did, they didn’t tell me about it,” I say as we sit down.
Bea shrugs as she takes a bite of her apple. “Maybe the school did it after they heard what happened.”
I nod because it makes perfect sense. Maybe Mr. Ryder heard and felt bad for me enough that he decided to enable the free meal pass. If he’s as loyal to my father as he said he was. Or if he knew him at all.
I glance across the room. My eyes catch Kai and his friends—Will, Liam, and Christian—all laughing at something I can’t hear. My gaze lingers on them for a moment.
It was updated yesterday.
Addie
Three years ago
The final bell rings and relief washes over me as I gather my things. The end of school has become the best part of it, it seems. Away from the mean glares, and bored people who spend their time patronising others. I’ve had enough of them all. All I want now is to get home as quickly as possible, where a comforting hot chocolate with an extra spoon of sugar awaits me.
First things first, though—a pit stop at the restroom. I can’t imagine enduring a twenty-minute drive while desperately needing to go. The thought alone makes me cringe.
As I step out of the building, though, Mason is nowhere in sight. My sisters, who I know are in today, aren’t here either. I take a seat on the steps and wait. Time seems to drag on, and I check my phone repeatedly. The winter grows angrier earlier, and the darkness is already settling in.
My coat does almost nothing against the cold, but I mentally commend myself for bringing a scarf. I readjust it, pulling it snugly around my neck.
Over an hour passes—or at least, that’s what it feels like. I’ve called everyone multiple times, but there’s been no response. Even Dad didn’t answer, and I don’t even bother trying Mum, there’s no point.
Finally, the harsh reality sets in. They probably left without me. The promises my family makes are as flimsy as paper, a lesson I learnt years ago. I feel stupid for waiting so long.
Just as I’m about to get up, Mrs. Wilson, my art teacher, appears next to me. She looks concerned as she asks, “What are you still doing here, Adeline? It’s getting late.”
I force a weak smile. “Oh, just waiting for my brother. He’ll be here in about five minutes.” It’s a lie, of course.
Mrs. Wilson’s expression shifts to worry. “Are you sure? It’s not safe to be alone here at this hour.”
“No worries, Mrs. Wilson. I’ll be fine,” I reassure her.
But as soon as I see her get in her car and drive away, I start walking home. It probably isn’t the safest or smartest option, but it’s my only one.
It’s almost pitch black when I finally start walking, and I wish I had brought headphones or something, anything to distract me from how cold it is, and how stupid I feel.
But it gets darker, and even harder to navigate, so I pull out my phone, and go onto Google Maps.
Sitting on a bench, I tap on the screen, trying to focus on the map. That’s when I feel a presence beside me. At first, I think it’s just paranoia, but then I glance to my side and let out a slight scream.
Has he been there the whole time?
The hooded figure leans back against the bench; legs stretched out. Their silhouette reveals long legs compared to myown. In the darkness, it’s hard to decipher his exact features, but there’s a certain perfection to the outlines.
“Um, hi?” I manage to say, immediately regretting my words when the figure remains silent.
