Flickered like a beacon of hope for a ship caught in a storm.

“I, uh…” I stammered, my eyes searching the audience, finding him like he’d been standing in the back all along. Like I knew he’d be there, laptop in hand, his blue-gray eyes full of regret and hope and love.

The TOC. He was supposed to be there, winning. Earning his credibility so a major-company would hire him in the fall. But he was here. I assumed he’d gotten the mass email Tanner sent out yesterday for the assembly, but I didn’t think for one second he’d miss the TOC to come here.

DC.

The letters blinked at me as I released the podium, the fear falling away faster than it had gathered.

DC.

Our code pulsed in rhythm with my heart, each beat pulverizing the bricks I’d laid. Healing, wanting, hoping.

But most of all beating with the knowledge that I was no longer alone.

And this moment was no longer about me.

“Talk.” Tanner mouthed the word, rolling his hand discreetly in front of him.

No one had registered the game-changer I had—the two simple letters that held me frozen in gratitude and hope.

“Sorry,” I said into the mic. “Here’s what you need to know—”

A small murmur echoed through the crowd, stopping me once again. The screens blinked in and out, my website disappearing, and a vid-box replacing it.

The audio filled the room, filtering from the same speakers attached to my mic. But it was no longer my voice hitting the crowd—it was Tanner’s.

“You have no idea what it is like to be responsible for the young minds of the future. I do what I have to—whatever I have to—to ensure their success. What seems harsh to you is what will make this world a better place in the years to come.”

I glanced down to Tanner, wide-eyed. He was frozen in his seat.

“Whatever.” That was Dean’s voice now echoing through the speakers. “This has nothing to do with me. I’m not an errand boy or your personal tech guy.”

“Oh, Mr. Winters,” Tanner said. “You wouldn’t want Tessa to have a black mark on her record before she’s even reached her senior year, would you? I imagine something like jail time or a court date would harm her chances of following you and your brother to MIT someday.

“Are you listening, now, Mr. Winters?”

“Yes,” Dean said.

“Sir,” Tanner said.

“What?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I expect a report on your progress on Monday. Bright and early.”

“Fine.”

“And, Mr. Winters?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t take too long to find this person,” he said. “For Tessa’s sake.”

The chatter from the crowd grew, whispers and gasps. I locked eyes with Dean, my heart breaking for him.

Beeps and buzzes and “holy shits” rang from the crowd, nearly everyone gaping at their cell phones.