She shook her head, her face pale, her eyes puffy, but she held a hand up. It had a phone in it. “Jessy called. I–uh–I’m going to head to the house after all.” She put her phone into her pocket, using both hands to tuck strands of hair behind her ears. She included everyone as she said, “I really do appreciate everything you guys have done, but I think I need to be with my sisters right now.”

I nodded. “We’re here if you need us…”

Cross added, “You need anything, Tab. You know to call us.”

“I will.” She turned to Jordan. “Could I get a ride over there?”

“Yeah. Of course.” He gestured behind her. “Let me hit the bathroom, then we can go now.”

As he did, Zellman headed upstairs, Tabatha migrated over to the door. She had one bag in hand and she lingered at the door. Almost abruptly, as if she found the courage to say it, she said to me, “I’ll call you tomorrow?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Can I call tomorrow?”

“Sure. Are you–are you okay? You want to talk now?”

She shook her head, her eyes darting past me to the hallway as Jordan was coming back. “No. I just–I know you called a bunch, and I have a few things I want to say to you. All good, I promise.”

“Oh. Okay.” I gave her a smile.

Jordan came over, taking the bag she was holding and grabbing the other. He said over his shoulder as she moved outside, “Be back, yeah?”

I nodded, then moved to watch them as they got into Jordan’s truck and headed off.

Cross came to stand next to me. “You okay?”

“She’s not the same person.”

And she wasn’t. Tabatha meant well at times, was spoiled at times, was a bitch at times, prissy at times, was a friend at times, but she always had fight in her. That girl who was just standing there, the fight was gone. She wasn’t the same person, at least not right now.

He looked, too. “Yeah.”

I hoped she came back, one day.

Chapter Fifty-Four

BREN

I felt like I was heading to a dorm meeting point to plan the world’s insurrection. I didn’t know why, but it lingered with me.

I showed up. There was rap music blaring from Jade and Aspen’s room, with the door open. No one inside.

So, I waited.

Five minutes.

Ten.

Two girls came from the exit stairs, saw me and paused. “Hey.”

I lifted my chin up. “You guys know where these two might be?”

“Oh.” One hid a grin.

The other pointed down the hallway. “They hang out a lot with Angeline and V. Room 413.”

So I went to room 413.

I knocked.

No answer, but I heard more music blaring from inside. It sounded like Spanish rap, so I knocked again.

No answer.