A second chance at sunrise

eaking as soon as they were out of the c

you nuts? I know you've always liked him, but he doe

, her cheeks

ted him to

ression turn

rong way. Now he's going

defeat etched

me abo

s tone

on? You're acting

uch to reveal. Rachel would

't know. I feel like I

aised an

déjà

nod

feel like I know him, b

ression turn

ld think you know him but going over to meet him like that was a bad idea.

knowing Rac

~ ~ ~

tudents eager for a midday break. Laughter and conversation

who had claimed the seat beside Jake. Emily's flawless smile lit up the ta

nkled at the corners as he smiled back a

er appetite vanishing. The jealousy

fortlessly capture Jake's atten

raction and reached out, c

remained fixed

e be the one making Jake laugh? She felt like an outsi

oughts drifted back to their earlier encounter. Ja

lding. Emily leaned in, her lips brushing against Jake's e

kles whitening as saw him smile. She felt a

yes away, focusing on her messy plate. Th

oice broke the spell

trying to appear

d from behind Lexi, that familiar voice she could recogni

hel said, her g

chel, her eyes locking onto Lexi with

-hearted. "Hi Megan." Sh

ood for Megan's usu

u were picked from a pit?" She said eyeing Lexi's baggy

s defense. "She didn't

laced with a newfound boldness. "And why do y

idened in shoc

had never stood up to Megan before,

as Lexi met Megan's i

venom. " You've grown a spine right? So now y

refused to back down. "Just ca

ble sensing the escalating

ng a calming hand on Lex

hink you're better than me now? A

ed. "What's that

ne saw you throw yours

her ground. "At least I don't rel

Megan's eyes narrowed, her expression turn

Newsflash: you're still the s

n's, her tone steady. "And y

er voice firm. "Me

. "Or what? You'll defend

to back down. "I don't need Rachel t

ng. "We'll see about that." Sh

was that? How come I didn't know you have that tough side in you all

"Well, the reserved pushover Lexi is dead,

musement, clearly thrilled by

thirty-five, she had faced her share of challenges,

said, her smile stil

eful that despite life's ups and downs, nineteen years from now,

cheerful spirit remained unwaverin

eeling a deep conne