“It would’ve been better, but AP World History was so pointless.” She picked up her books. “Did you take it? We’ll never need it.”

Lia hadn’t, but she had liked the last geography and civics classes she took. AP classes were the bane of her existence, and she only took the ones her parents made her take.

“You will,” Lia said. “Critical reasoning and all that. You might not ever need to know when things happened, but it’s the thinking that counts.”

“No,” said Faith, checking her phone, “I’m pretty sure you mean ‘it’s the thought that counts.’ ”

Lia did not mean that.

“Sure,” Lia said. “You’re right.”

Faith grinned. “Sorry about spooking you. See you in class tomorrow, I guess.”

“Yeah, tomorrow,” Lia said, racing away. She was half worried about being late and half desperate to escape. She walked through the door to her next class with a minute to spare.

Gem was already in their seat and chatting with a beaming Cassidy.

“At least something good is happening,” Gem said, smiling at her.

“What’s up?” Lia asked.

“Nothing,” said Cassidy quickly. Her smile fell. “I got some good news.”

Lia sat without arguing. Cassidy’s business was her own, but Gem leaned against their desk.

“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.”