Chapter 4

I pulled out of the drop-off line and steered into the first empty visitor space near the gymnasium.

I put the car in park while the wipers slapped against the glass.

"Give me the letter, Callie."

Her fingers trembled, but she passed the unsealed envelope across the center console.

The sheet inside was crisp printer paper, formatted neatly as a formal withdrawal.

But Callie had crossed out the final paragraph twice in thick blue ink.

I could hear Evan in every line. Formal. Careful. Reasonable.

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing to formally withdraw my fall enrollment due to unexpected…