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***Ariana gripped the chain-link fence and marveled at how well the gloves Noelle had given her kept out
the cold. Squinting into the heavy fog, she stared at the large double doors that loomed at the top of several
sets of rambling steps. A large stone archway carved with the words easton high school, est. 1935 crumbled
over the doors. Moss had crept into the crevices of the letters, giving them a greenish tinge. With the
exception of a ragged American flag whipping in the wind, the school grounds were bare. Silent.
A loud car drove by-silver, four-door, broken muffler-and Ariana checked her watch. Just then the harsh
clanging of the afternoon bell echoed in the halls and around the deserted grounds. Seconds later, the doors
flew open and waves of students poured down the steps. She blocked out the noise that flooded the yard as
they spilled into the street. Settled into the quiet calm of her mind, searching the crowds for a familiar face.
This time
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would be different. This time, she would be the one catching Mel off guard.
Ariana almost didn't see her, hunched over in jeans and the same leather jacket she'd worn the day before.
The same dark scarf secured around her long neck. Mel crossed her arms over her chest and took the stairs
two at a time, keeping her head down. Instinctively, Ariana turned away as Mel slipped through the high
gates. The other students huddled together in groups, laughing and talking. Mel stayed by herself, ducking
through the patches of students without acknowledging them. Ariana watched as Mel moved quickly down
the sidewalk, sidestepping the weeds in the cracked cement.
"Hey!"
Ariana looked up, startled. A tall kid in camouflage pants was blocking her path. An unlit cigarette hung limp
between his lips. A group of a few guys stood behind him, smirking in her direction.
"What?" she snapped, keeping her eye on Mel. The distance between them was widening fast. She felt her
heart throbbing in her chest. She couldn't lose her. This was her chance.
"Got a light?" the kid sneered, stepping closer.
"No." Ariana shook her head, staring past him. "I don't smoke."
"No big deal." He pulled the cigarette from between his lips and stuffed it in his pocket. "You new around
here?"
"Kind of." Mel was crossing the street, cutting through the gas station parking lot on the corner. If Ariana
didn't move fast, she was going to lose sight of her. She shoved past the group of guys. The sharp sound of
her heels pounding against the cement overpowered the
