“Of course,” Gem said. “And Mr. Jackson is almost always on his porch right now, so it’s not like I’ll be alone.”

The man who had lived across from the school for the last decade was practically a volunteer security guard for the parking lots at this point, but to get to the car, Gem would have to walk down the street. They wouldn’t be on school property.

“I’ll be fine,” Gem said. “I’ll be on the phone with May for most of the time. Don’t worry.”

Lia tried not to worry. She really did. She waved at Devon from her spot in the back of the auditorium and focused on her homework. Gem texted twice as promised, and when Gem was in the lot and about to walk back, Lia slipped out of her row. Devon glanced at Lia as she climbed onto the stage.

“Gem went to Sonic and is out back now,” Lia explained. “Is there some sort of secret door back here?”

“Oh, yeah.” He grabbed his water bottle and led her to a crooked metal door behind the curtain on stage right. “This leads to that back lot but the door locks automatically, so you can open it but don’t let it close behind you.”

Lia peeked over the edge of the stairs down into the dim hall. The back lot was a swathe of cracked concrete between the school and a neighboring housing community, and it wasn’t technically school grounds. Most students used it when they arrived too late to find a spot in the student lots. “Creepy. I never knew this was here.”

“We use it to leave,” Devon said, tapping the graffiti-covered cement walls. “And keep it a secret so no one catches us skipping.”

Lia snorted. “Like you ever have. Thanks.”

“Just save me a tater tot or something,” Devon said.

OMW, Lia sent Gem. She jogged down the stairs and opened the door. No Gem. She checked her phone—nothing.

Lia propped open the door to the back lot with a rock. The area was mostly empty, only a few people lingering on porches and in driveways. Lia sprinted to the lot.

Gem’s car sat empty and off in the middle of the lot.

And Gem, unmoving, sat propped up against its side.

Lia froze. Hot, sticky fear prickled over her skin and clogged her throat. There was no one else around, and no reason why Gem would ever sit on the ground. Lia forced one leg forward. Then the other.

“Gem?” she called, voice shaking. The hair stood up straight on Lia’s arms.

“I messed up,” shouted Gem. “I’m out.”

“Gem,” Lia croaked. “What the heck?”

“I got tagged and my leggings are wet. If I stand up, it’ll look like I peed myself.” Gem stared up at Lia. “What’s up?”

Lia let out a strangled laugh. “I thought you were dead.”

“Crap. I’m sorry.”