“Isn’t that what Americans do? Sue everyone all the time?”

“That’s offensive,” she says dryly. “It’s a harmful stereotype.”

“Is it? My apologies.”

“That was really problematic of you, actually. Aren’t you meant to be trained in foreign relations?”

I remember this version of Danni. This is the version I met at Molly’s party, before the overwhelm of Bramppath forced her into nervous withdrawal. All at once, I recall how she piqued my interest that day. I’d almost forgotten.

The forest floor is slick with mud and sodden leaves, and the air is brisk and thick with the scent of rain. Strolling weather it is not—I have to engage my core just to prevent myself from skidding on the sludge beneath my feet—but at least it’s secluded here. If you don’t count Sidney, anyway, but he’s holding himself at a distance.

I clear my throat, and find myself hit by an unfamiliar spray of nerves. I’m not sure if Danni is causing that effect in me, or if it’s the fear of how she might reply to the question about to leave my lips. Before I can verbalize it, though, she breaks the uncomfortable silence with, “So, Molly tells me you’re into snow sports?”

Unfortunately, the aforementioned adrenaline has taken over my speech entirely, and I have to ask my initial question. I was already committed. “How is Molly?” I ask. “Is she okay?”

Danni seems taken aback. “Uh, okay then, enough about snow sports. She’s okay, I guess.” I nod, and she goes on. “I mean, as okay as you can expect her to be.”

So, she knows about Amsterdam, then. The death. I thought surely she must, but it wouldn’t have come as a surprise to find out she didn’t. His name is never brought up, not even in a whisper. While I’m certain his absence must be acknowledged at Ashford from time to time, other than the assembly addressing his death at the end of last term, Bramppath has continued on as though our brother school is as full as it ever was. I don’t know what I expected—Oscar never attended Bramppath, after all. But somehow, it feels as though he’s been forgotten by everybody but our little group.

“Will you check in on her from time to time?” I ask. “If you haven’t been already, of course. She obviously needs a lot of support right now, and she isn’t the type to ask for it. And she’s made it quite clear she doesn’t want it from me.”

“Yeah, of course,” she says, eyes widening. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Relief surges down my spine, relaxing my shoulders. “I would sit beside her, but…”

“You’re not her favorite person right now. Gotcha.”

My eyebrows flash up, and Danni takes note.