Monday.
Winter break was over, and with it came the start of another school term—more importantly, the beginning of the high school football season in full.
Julian walked out of class, his bag slung over his shoulder, when Leo intercepted him with his usual grin.
"Hey, dude. How was your break?" Leo asked, easygoing as always.
Julian thought of New York—the glittering party, the weight of the Ashfords, Adrian, the quest now etched into his soul. His lips curved into something dry.
"Same old shit, maybe."
Leo laughed, clapping his shoulder. "Figures."
As they moved together toward the field, the rest of the crew fell in: Riku sharp-eyed as ever, Cael bouncing with restless energy, and even Noah, quiet but steady, his presence grounding them. The group swapped quick stories—Christmas, New Year's, the little nothings that filled the two-week void.
Their voices overlapped in a warm mess of inside jokes and playful insults.
