Please don’t stop. Please keep running.
As the footsteps get close to our door, Jonah’s free hand comes up to his throat. In the dim light, I can see him pulling the thin-chained necklace out from under his T-shirt. His hand wraps around the cross pendant his halmeoni gave him—the one he wears because he’s convinced it brings him good luck. Maybe it does, because the feet pass our door and continue down the long hall.
An audible sigh escapes from several students. Mrs. Diaz shushes us. Everybody’s phone goes off. Well, everyone who doesn’t follow the school rule to turn off your phone during class, which is everybody. The emergency message from the school system overrides everyone’s mute setting to warn us that our school is currently in lockdown. Less than five seconds later, everybody’s phone goes off again. Probably panicked parents responding to the school system’s message.
“Turn them off!” Mrs. Diaz snaps.
I dig in my backpack as Jonah texts furiously. Besides the school system notification, I don’t have any other messages. I look over Jonah’s shoulder at his phone. His mom has sent him five texts in less than thirty seconds.
I’m okay. I love you, Jonah texts his mom back.
I look at my phone. Nothing.
I’m okay. I love you. I text Mom and Dad at the same time.
Nothing.
There are footsteps in the hallway again. They run a few steps and then stop. Run a few steps more and stop. As the sound gets closer, I know why. Someone is checking all the doors. My heart pounds, even though I saw Mrs. Diaz lock our door. The doorknob on the classroom across the hall from us rattles. The soccer player next to Jonah completely loses it.
“Get down!” Mrs. Diaz says when two girls wearing matching jerseys fling themselves across the room and wrap their arms around their teammate. They huddle together, muffling her sobs.
My phone vibrates. It’s not from Mom. It’s from Mack. Of course it’s from Mack.
HOLY SHIT! ARE YOU OK? IT’S ALL OVER TV. DAMN IT OLIVIA YOU BETTER BE OK TEXT ME NOW TELL ME YOU ARE OK
I drop my phone when Jonah pulls me in front of him. His long arms and legs wrap around me. Encase me. Shield me. He rests his chin on my shoulder. As he rocks us gently back and forth, his long hair tickles my cheek, but I don’t brush it away. Instead, I fold my hands around Jonah’s and pull myself as tightly into him as I can. Our classroom’s doorknob rattles and both of us stop breathing. Jonah’s pounding heart behind me is in perfect sync with the one threatening to explode out of my chest. When the footsteps move on, we breathe out as one. We stay connected even as I slap around on the floor to find my phone.
My hands are shaking so badly that I can barely text Mack back. Im ok jonah is w me.
My phone buzzes. THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!
I hold the phone up so Jonah can see what I am texting. What’s happening? We don’t know.
Stu says the news isn’t sure. Some think gang violence. Some think it’s a bullied kid with dad’s gun. One said a heartbroken boy killed his former girlfriend. Nobody really knows. Police are on the scene. The whole block around the school is barricaded.
The warning system blares, and Jonah pulls me in tight.
“Attention, students, teachers, and staff.” It’s Principal Green this time. I can tell by the Boston accent he usually tries to hide. “We are all clear. I repeat. We are now all clear. Please report back to your first-period class for attendance and dismissal.”
Mrs. Diaz flips on the lights. Many people wipe at their eyes. Jonah texts madly.
“Students,” Mrs. Diaz’s voice wavers. “Go to your first-period class directly. Do not stop at the bathroom. Do not stop to talk with friends. Go. Now.”
“Ma’am.” Jonah rolls to his feet and shows her his phone. “My dad wants me to come outside right now.”
“No, you will report to first period. Then you will wait to be dismissed by Principal Green.”
“But, I—”
“Do as you are told, young man.” Mrs. Diaz’s hands are shaking so much that she grabs a chair to steady them. “Let’s go, students. Vámonos.”
“Come on, Jonah.” I take Jonah by the hand and lead him out of the class.
“Olivia! Jonah!” Erika sprints down the hall the wrong way, with Naomi and Brandon hot on her heels. The trio practically tackles us into the floor.
“Oh my God, we were so worried.” Erika’s eye makeup is smeared.
“Nobody knew where you two were.” Naomi puts a hand on each of us.
“Seriously, bro.” Brandon takes a deep breath and runs his hand through his hair. “I see some stress-baking in my immediate future. Macarons. Eclairs. A Victoria sponge. Prepare for the sugar avalanche coming tomorrow.”
“Stop talking and move it along.” Mrs. Diaz shoos us down the hall.
I go to my first period solo. Everybody is on their phones—including the teacher—so I take mine out too. I still haven’t received a text or call from either of my parents but I have a text from Jonah.
I love you. I should have told you that in person sooner. I *will* tell you that in person the next time I see you.
It’s amazing how you can have both the worst day and the best day of your life all in the same thirty minutes.
A warmth flows from the center of my chest. I love you too.
Dad says we’re going straight home after school today on Mom’s orders. Will try to come to the rink later though.
After an eternity, we are officially dismissed with a warning not to indulge in gossip about what went on today and are told that everyone will receive an accurate account of today’s event at a later time. No one follows that rule either, including the teacher.
Can you come pick me up? I need to talk, I text Mom.
I stand in the parking lot for forty-five minutes. Mom never comes or answers any of my texts.
Chapter 24
“What the hell are you doing here?” Mack abandons our normal derby girl intro when I roll into Ice Dreams after giving up on Mom.
“I work here.” I slide my Ice Dreams jacket off its peg and throw my backpack onto Table #1.
“You could have died today, and the first thing you think of is coming to work?”
“This is my home, Mack. All the people who care about me the most practically live here too. Where’s Mom? She hasn’t answered my texts all day.”
“She’s not here. She hasn’t answered my calls or texts either. Stu said he was going to Uber over to your house to check on Midori. And Jonah texted that his mom won’t let him come to the rink today.”
“Like I said, all the people who care about me the most are here.” I jog toward the skate booth before Mack can see the tears flowing down my cheeks.
“Hey. Hey! Olivia!” Mack races up from behind me and grabs my elbow.
I can’t look her in the eye. I am so embarrassed by my blubbering. My ice princess exterior completely melts away. Mack pulls me into her and wraps her arms around me as I continue to bawl. She’s soft and soothing, like the down comforter on my parents’ bed.
“Shhh. Shhh. You’re okay now. Everything is going to be okay.” Mack’s voice wavers as she holds me even tighter. “You’re safe. Nothing can hurt you here.”