Valerie Starr and Jake Diaz spoke rapidly to each other. Valerie was reading something out of her notes and making big hand motions, while Jake was nodding along and rubbing his chin. Every couple of seconds, one of them would say something, and they’d both break into huge, proud smiles. It was obviously their science project they were discussing, and from the way they spoke about it—or at least, from what Amy could see—it was going to be epic this year. Part of Amy wished she’d taken a lab partner, but there was no one left she really liked, and anyway, she didn’t want to have to share her ideas—

“Amy?” said Marguerite.

“Sorry,” Amy replied, pulling her gaze away from her rivals.

“Uh, your mom and dad got that dog tested for diseases, right?” Marguerite asked as she and Amy filled their book bags at their lockers.

“We’re taking him after school.” Amy heard the fabric of her backpack creak with strain as she wedged her social studies textbook in between her English skills workbook and her iPad. When she hefted the dense block of pure education onto her back, the straps bit into her shoulders. It was a bad homework night, to be sure.

“Stray dogs can carry all sorts of parasites,” Marguerite said, scrunching her hair back into a ponytail and popping an eyebrow at Amy. “My mom told me that my uncle brought home a stray cat once, and it gave him worms. You know what worms are?”

“Yes, and I’m not going to talk to you if this is the topic of conversation,” Amy replied, holding up her hand to signal for Marguerite to stop.

“I’m just saying,” Marguerite pushed on, wearing that little smile she got when she’d successfully managed to skeeve Amy out. “I know you love a helpless dog, but you have to be careful.”

“You should’ve seen it,” Amy said, feeling a wave of sadness crash through her heart at the thought of Rover by the roadside. “This poor dog … who would do that? They must have been really mean.”

“Or they knew he had some sort of disease.” Marguerite swung her own backpack onto her shoulders and groaned as she leaned against the weight. “Yeesh, feel these things? We’re going to have amazing delts by the end of the year.”

They headed toward the door. As they passed, Valerie and Jake went quiet, their eyes following Amy as she walked. Amy felt her cheeks go red but kept her head down.

The front steps of school were a madhouse, with kids hanging out and squinting parents lined up in front of their minivans at the curb. Amy scanned the line until she found her father off at one end, Rover sitting handsomely at his side.

“There they are,” said Amy.

Marguerite followed her gaze. “Well, you were right about one thing: That’s a really beautiful dog.”