Chapter 4

The call from Columbia Prep came just after noon, the principal's voice tight with restraint as he explained there had been an 'incident' between Adan and Kairo. My stomach dropped as I rushed toward the school, memories of Kairo's cold greeting on Adan's first day flashing through my mind. Three weeks had passed since then, and though Adan rarely complained, the tension between the boys had been building like a gathering storm.

I found them sitting on opposite ends of the waiting area outside the principal's office. Kairo's pristine uniform was wrinkled, a bruise forming beneath his left eye. Adan…