Sienna

The morning dragged like it had weights tied to its ankles.

Every class felt twice as long.

Every teacher sounded like slow-motion audio.

Every friend who waved at me felt like a reminder that I was on lockdown.

I kept checking the clock even though I didn’t have a phone to check.

By the time the break bell rang, my chest felt tight from holding everything in.

I walked out to the courtyard like a ghost—then I heard footsteps running behind me.

“Sienna!”

Kendra.

Before I could turn around, she hooked her arm through mine and pulled me behind one of the pillars near the staircase.

“Okay,” she said,...