Emma Carter was laughing with Jess Martinez near their lockers, the sound bright and infectious, bouncing off the metal like someone had managed to bottle summer and pop the cap just for them. For a second—just one perfect second—she looked like her old self. The girl who used to treat life like a dare you could only win by saying yes to everything.
"Oh my God, did you see what Connor posted about the vampire house?" Jess was half-giggling, half-trying not to choke, shoving her phone into Emma's personal space. On-screen, Connor Hayes was in full method-acting meltdown, reenacting Tommy's vampire theories like he was auditioning for a low-budget Shakespeare remake. "He's so weird. But like… endearingly weird."
Emma was mid-snort when her phone buzzed.
Vice Principal Holloway:Office. Now. Don't keep me waiting.
