Jaimie's face fell. "No, no, it's not you Gwynn. If anything, I'm the one who's doing something wrong. I mean, in a little over a week you're almost killed and then suspended from school. God, my sister would disown me."

Gwynn searched for words. The mention of his mother had him flustered. Bad enough to feel he failed Jaimie, but failing to live up to what his parents' would have wanted for him? He'd become a failure.

Jaimie sniffled and wiped her sleeve across her eyes. "Crap, I'm a mess. Did you want something?"

Gwynn hesitated. It was the wrong time to ask. At the same time, something felt wrong. Something gnawed at his insides, and only one person he could think of had answers.

"Jaimie, I know I shouldn't be asking, but, I hoped you would let me go see Sophia."

Jaimie exploded. "You're goddamn right you shouldn't be asking me. You think 'cause you're off school you should be able to go make out with your girlfriend?"

Gwynn didn't let her continue. "Make out with her? Girlfriend? I think she set me up so Eric Haze could get me into that house. But then something changed, she took the bullet for me. Why? I'm not interested in making out with her; I want to know what the hell really happened."

Jaimie's eyes were stern, but she weighed his words. He considered pressing his argument, but that risked going too far.

"If she wasn't at school, do you think she's in any condition to see you?"

The building tightness in his chest started to unravel— Jaimie seemed to be considering it. "She wasn't badly hurt; they discharged her from the hospital before me. I think she's laying low. I think she kind of ruined Eric's plans by going in the house first. Maybe she's avoiding that crowd until everything blows over."

Jaimie shook her head.

"Fine. On the condition you call me from your cell if you're staying and call me again when you're on your way home."

"I will." It dawned on Gwynn how much faith his aunt put in him. "Thanks, Jaimie. I promise. I'll call you soon."

"You better, or I'm not going to be Ms. Nice–and–Understanding–Aunt any longer. Got it?"

Gwynn gave a salute.

"Got it."

Gwynn bolted out the door before she could change her mind.

§

He had walked the route to Sophia's a number of times, though he'd always made it seem he had another destination in mind. He would often hope Sophia might be outside her house alone and call him over, or maybe join him in his walk. It had never happened, and as he had gotten older, he realized his actions were kind of creepy and that he needed to dial back.

He passed the 7/11. A shudder ran along his spine.

He was so preoccupied with memories— he slammed into someone at the stoplights. He stumbled back, catching himself before falling.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going," his voice stammered.

"That seems to be a habit of yours."

Gwynn stared at the girl Mr. Davis had named Fuyuko. Genuine anger filled her eyes. Not wise to make this girl an enemy.

"I know. It's been a rough day for me. I'm sorry I keep running you over."

Fuyuko shrugged. "I've had worse things happen."

She took a step closer to Gwynn, moving beyond his barrier of personal space. It wasn't unpleasant, just awkward. She seemed to be inspecting him.

"I heard a rumor you were in an explosion."

Gwynn tried to laugh it off. It sounded unnatural and even uncomfortable. "That's what they tell me. The whole thing's a little blurry."

"When I came into the school last Monday, the other students said you were going to die."

"Doctors got it wrong. I'm fine."

Fuyuko's gaze fell to his hand. "Trying to start some new fashion trend?"

"Hmm? What?" Gwynn looked down. Oh, she meant the glove. His face reddened. "No, no. There's, uhh, some scars. I didn't want people staring at them."

"I see. Well, goodbye."

Fuyuko turned to cross the road.

"Wait," Gwynn called.

She turned back. "What is it?"

Thankfully, she didn't sound annoyed.

"I wanted to say thanks. For speaking to Mr. Davis. It saved me. No one else would've bothered to help me out."

She smiled, small and brief, but Gwynn had seen it.

"I thought Mr. Davis should know the whole story. The way others were talking, I knew none of them would," she said, her voice smooth and silky— no accent he could detect, just an air of intelligence and sophistication.

"Well, I guess I don't have many friends. Thanks, I appreciate it."

"You are very welcome. Good day."

With that, she turned and crossed the road.

Gwynn waited for the light to change and continued to Sophia's.

Crossing Dixie, he made his way through a walkway and turned right when it came out to a residential street. He kept walking until he came to another walkway. Through this, left at the street, and down three houses. While most of the homes in the subdivision were an average family home, the ones on this street were all custom builds. Sophia's home would fit at least two of his house.

Gwynn took a deep breath and started walking toward the front door. His forehead dampened and his stomach knotted. The constant throbbing in his arm and head didn't help. Several times, he considered turning back. So many times the walkway to the Murrays' door seemed miles in length.

When he reached the door, Gwynn gulped another breath and rung the doorbell.

Several moments passed. Gwynn figured he should give up when the door echoed with the sound of locks clicking open. The door opened to reveal a grim, middle–aged man whose eyes fell disapprovingly on Gwynn.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir," Gwynn stammered. "I wondered if Sophia was home."

Thinly veiled anger filled the man's eyes. "She's not seeing anyone right now."

"Oh." A pit gnawed at Gwynn's stomach. "Can you please let her know Gwynn came by to see her?"

The man hesitated. "Did you say you were Gwynn?"

"Yes, sir."

The man, Mr. Murray, Gwynn assumed, inspected him.

"The same Gwynn that went into the Cameron House after Sophia?"

"I am."

Mr. Murray's eyes softened. "I heard you were gravely injured. I figured you'd still be in the hospital."

"I'm not sure what happened. I guess I wasn't as bad as the doctors thought. I got out two days ago."

"Gwynn, Sophia's not here," Mr. Murray shuddered. "But I think it's important you see her. She keeps asking for you."

Despite his dark suspicions, Gwynn's heart raced. "I'd be glad to come back when she gets home."

Sophia's father's face fell. "I don't know when that'll be, Gwynn." Her father's eyes misted. "It's not very good. Sophia's back in the hospital."