Wendy nodded. “Definitely.” They’d both made it onto the swim team, but, coming from a small high school in an equally small town, they were far behind the varsity swimmers. It was nice, though, having a reason to really push herself. Not to mention, getting a good swim session in made it easier for her to sleep at night.

“Good.” Jordan’s teeth shone in a grin as she pulled Wendy into a bear hug. She’d been doing that a lot lately, ever since the night Wendy had found the kids in the woods. When Jordan had showed up to her house the morning after, there wasn’t even a discussion of who owed who an apology, or who was sorry for what. Jordan just crushed Wendy against her in a spine-popping hug before barraging her incessantly with questions.

Wendy avoided the ones about Barry and what had happened to him. The occasional poorly done police sketch of Peter still caught her off guard around town when she visited her parents, hanging in a window or half torn from a lamppost. They were still looking for him, as he was the only one who had gone missing and hadn’t returned, but active searches had stopped long ago. Most people shrugged him off as just a vagabond who had passed through town.

Jordan tugged on a lock of Wendy’s hair as she pulled back. “You’re getting awfully shaggy, girl,” she said as she stood up.

Wendy smoothed her hands through her hair. “Yeah, I’m thinking about growing it out,” she said with a shrug. It was already starting to brush her shoulders.

Jordan nodded. “New look—I love it!” she sang with enthusiasm. Wendy laughed and Jordan beamed. “I’ll stop by after class!” she called with a wave as she headed back toward the brick buildings. “I need to show you how to make ramen in your coffee maker!”

“That’s gross!” Wendy scolded.

“It’s delicious!”

Wendy rolled her eyes but couldn’t help chuckling. When Jordan disappeared from sight, Wendy flopped onto her back. She reached her hands above her head and tangled her fingers in the grass. This was her favorite spot on campus, where rosebushes lined the lawn.

Back home, she and her mom had picked out and planted two rosebushes in the backyard as a sort of memorial to John and Michael. John’s were white and Michael’s were bright yellow. Mrs. Darling spent a lot of time talking to the roses while pruning their leaves. Last time she was home, Wendy had even caught her dad doing it a couple of times when he thought no one was watching.