The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Zoey slung her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door, but Mr. France called out to her.
"Zoey, if you ever need someone to talk to, the guidance counselor is always available."
"Thank you," Zoey replied.
"Of course. Take care, Zoey. Have a good rest of your day."
"You too, Mr. France."
As Zoey stepped into the hallway, a familiar voice echoed down the corridor.
"Z!" Mya shouted, running toward her with Alina and Jada close behind.
"New school, same crew," Mya grinned. "Anyone trying out for anything?"
"I'm already cheer captain," Jada said with a proud flip of her curls.
"And I'm still the school geek," Alina added with a playful roll of her eyes.
"What about you, Mya?" Zoey asked.
"I made the track team."
"That's amazing!" Alina beamed. "Zoey, what about you?"
"I'm trying out today," Zoey said with a nod.
"Perfect! We're coming with you."
"Oh my gosh, you're gonna be late!" Alina exclaimed.
The girls took off down the hallway, racing toward the gym. Zoey changed quickly into her tryout clothes, nerves buzzing beneath her skin.
"Zoey, you're up," the new coach called.
She stepped onto the court and took her position. One by one, she made every shot—flawless. Not a single miss.
But then… flashes.
Pain.
Darkness.
She collapsed.
When Zoey opened her eyes again, she was lying in a hospital bed. Jace, Alina, Mya, and Jada were crowded around her, concern etched across their faces.
"Zoey, are you okay?" Jace asked gently.
"Yeah… I'm fine," she murmured.
"Doctor, how is she?" Alina asked, her voice tense.
"She's alright," the doctor said. "Just overwhelmed. With everything going on, plus not eating, her body reacted. That's likely what caused the blackout."
"Thanks," Alina said, relieved.
"Zoey, you haven't been eating?" Jada demanded, frustration cutting through her worry. "What the hell?"
"I'm sorry," Zoey said, voice breaking. "It's just—there's been so much. I killed my foster parents… and my brother. Then I have to pretend I'm okay at school when everyone knows I'm not. I'm living with strangers who say they're my real parents, but I know nothing about them. I have a little sister I don't know, a room that's mine but doesn't feel like mine. And my best friends—people I trusted—have been lying to me my whole life.
"Everyone keeps making decisions for me like I don't have a say in anything. So yeah, I haven't been feeling great."
The room went silent.
"Zoey," Mya said gently, "what do you need?"
"I need space," Zoey said. "From everyone."
"Okay," Mya said softly. "We'll give you space."
The girls began to back away, but Zoey caught Jace's arm.
"Wait. Don't go."
He paused. "You want me to stay?"
"Yeah… stay," she whispered.
"Okay."
Zoey looked at him, eyes pleading. "Take me somewhere. Anywhere. Just get me out of this damn hospital."
Without hesitation, Jace nodded. "Let's go."