“She won’t mind,” Gem said. “Really?”

Lia winced. “Why would I mind good news?”

It made her feel bad; she didn’t want her mere presence to take away from people’s joy.

“I got offered the Governor’s Scholarship,” Cassidy said slowly, and she touched the little black and orange college pin on her shirt. “I was next in line for it apparently.”

Because Abby was dead, the scholarship and the full ride that went with it were Cassidy’s now.

“That’s great!” Lia sank into her chair. Bad things had happened, and here was the proof that hope lived. “I’m really glad you got it.”

The joy lasted until the end of school when Lia caught sight of Devon heading for her and Gem. Her shoulders tensed.

“Breathe,” whispered Gem. “Most people prefer people who breathe.”

“I hate you.” Lia managed to wave back at Devon. What even were they now? He told her he’d told his parents about her. He’d slept next to her. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he said. “How are you?”

“I’ve been better,” Lia said. “How are you?”

He raised and lowered one shoulder. “You know. There were good parts to today, but most of those were before school started.”

“Oh?” Lia felt the heat in her cheeks, and turned so that he couldn’t see, pulling out her phone from her backpack. “Yeah, same.”

He glanced over to Gem and smiled when they rolled their eyes. “What are you doing tonight?”

“I’m not sure yet. Why?” Lia asked.

“Oh.” Devon swallowed and blinked, an odd look settling over his face. “Wow. I thought you would be busy.”

He mimed shooting a water gun at her, and she shrugged.

“So,” he said slowly. “Between lessons and rehearsal, I’m going to be trapped with my violin forever. I have been trapped. I never even had time to really think about how to do this.”

“Yes,” Lia said, glancing at their hands. “Your crowded high school agenda.”

“Don’t laugh. I can’t even find my agenda. Who knows where I’m supposed to be now?” He laughed and ducked, hair falling over his eyes. “Do you want to come to orchestra rehearsal? You can watch. No one minds. People do it all the time, and you don’t have to stay for all of it if it’s boring. We could just spend some more time together during break and after.”

Lia exhaled through her nose, chest tight with joy. “Are we dating?”

“We probably have to go on a date to do that.”

She would’ve sworn he blushed.

“So…” Gem studied their nails.

He definitely blushed then. “You can stay, too. Do homework or chat or nap. It feels safer to be near you two.”

Gem and Lia agreed to stay. It would be nice to put off going home, and Lia wanted to figure out who her assassin was without her mom looming over her shoulder. Gem and Lia picked a corner near the back of the auditorium, where the heat puffed out of a vent at random intervals and the overhead light didn’t flicker, and a dozen other friends picked uncomfortable wooden seats around them. Lia scrolled through her spreadsheet of everyone’s schedules. At least fifteen were theoretically free when Lia and Gem had seen the figure at the park.