Page 24 of Fighting the Odds

“Mr. Johnson.”

“Yes, Zander, how can I help you?”

“I was wondering if you needed me to take the quiz to Sierra?”

He gives me a smile as he reaches for the stack of quizzes and puts them in his briefcase. “No, that won’t be necessary.”

No, fuck, has she transferred already? I didn’t even get a chance to talk to her.

“Oh, is she exempt from it?”

“No, Zander. She’s already been given her quiz. Now you need to run along to your next class.”

I walk away, meeting Braxton at the door.

“Did he give it to you?” he asks as I step up beside him.

“No. He said she already got it. Does that mean she still goes to school here?” I hate not knowing what’s going on.

“We can always ask Dad. He should know. He is her counselor.”

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone, ready to text her again, when my heart begins to beat out of my chest.

She’s read the messages.

Chapter 13

Zander

Istop dead in my tracks, my face plastered to my phone. My weight shifts back and forth as I chew my fingernail nervously, waiting to see if she is going to answer.

Okay, I need to stay calm. She read them. Now if she’d only respond.

“Zan, come on, man. We need to get to class. What are you looking at?” Braxton asks.

“Sierra.” I can’t even finish the sentence, my gaze intently focused on the phone. I need her to say something. Anything. Just as long as I hear from her and know she’s okay.

“Did she call? Message?” he asks loudly, his tone hopeful. His outburst gains some attention and students turn to look at us, but he doesn’t care.

“No, but she read the messages. That’s a good sign. Right?”

“It’s a start.” Braxton sighs and turns to head down the hallway to his next class.

I follow behind him, heading to mine with a little more pep in my step, knowing at least she has her phone. I’ve just got to be patient and wait for her. She’s going through a lot right now and she’s probably trying to process everything.

The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur, my attention focused on one thing and one thing only—my phone. God, I hope there’s not some important assignment I missed or another pop quiz happening tomorrow.

My phone buzzes and my heart races with excitement, only to plummet when I see it’s Colt in our group chat.

Thing1: Hey Dad wants us to grab some pizza and ice cream on the way home

Thing1: I’ll meet you at the car

Me: ok Colt. I’m calling shotgun since Brax is driving

Thing2: be there in 5

I stop by my locker, switching out the books I need for tonight, and make my way out of the building. Just as I step out the door, Wes comes up beside me, slapping his hand on my shoulder.

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