Riley

The bus moved along the gravel for another mile until Coach Rufus found a small clearing where he could safely pull over to check the damage to the front axle, and the moment the doors opened, I grabbed Fantine’s hand and led her down the steps because the air inside was stuffy with the scent of terrified teenagers. I could feel her hand trembling in mine, she was looking down at the ground with her shoulders hunched up, and I figured she was still stuck in the horror of the fight, so I pulled her toward the edge of the road, where we could be alone.

"Hey, it's okay...