But Diane, Jen, Ketzler, and Nancy the evil probation officer had all been hovering the past few days. I had to show up for school. If I showed any signs of “emotional distress,” as Ketzler had called it, they might cancel my visit with my mom, which was scheduled for Monday. I ripped my keys out of the ignition and shoved them in my backpack.

By lunchtime, I had drawn up a new plan to make the most of the extra days we’d been given, listing new places to patrol, new neighborhoods to cover. I also wanted to cultivate a few contacts within the homeless community, just to see what we could find. Feeling a little more energized, I headed to lunch.

Tegan and Jim were already at the table. Over the past few days, he’d been glued to her side during school hours. I was still worried about him losing his focus, but he’d been totally sober and completely professional as a Guard every night, so whatever he had going on with her was either helping him … or motivating him. Plus, Tegan looked better than she had a few days ago, and I was relieved that she was turning to someone other than me for support.

“We’re changing the theme,” I heard her say to him. “It was Tangled in the Stars, but in honor of Aden and Nadia, it’s going to be Memories and Moments. Laney and I thought it was important to make them part of it.”

I was pretty sure Jim had no idea what she was talking about, but he nodded along while he stared at her mouth. I set my tray down and elbowed him hard in the side.

“I guess they didn’t have proms at Bishop MacDonald?” I commented.

Tegan laughed. “Poor boy. No girls! This must be a nice change of speed for you.”

Jim grinned. “You have no idea.”

Jillian set her tray down and smiled over her shoulder at Levi, who was laughing with Ian about something as they piled their trays with bread and pasta. “Oh! Is that the new poster? I’m surprised it came so fast.”

Tegan held the glossy paper up for her to see. “Yeah, they were really nice about letting us change the theme so late in the year. They’re going to rush the order as soon as we okay this sample.”

Ian dropped into the seat next to mine and glanced at the poster she was now waving in his direction. “Shiny.”

Tegan scowled. “You have zero appreciation for art, Ian Moseley.”

Malachi and Laney arrived as Levi squeezed himself next to Jillian and kissed her cheek. “It looks great,” he said, but he was looking at her, not the poster. “Greg reserved a stretch SUV yesterday. He knows a guy and got us a huge discount. Anyway, we’re all set.”