Mrs. Chen’s classroom was filled with balloons and a giant banner that read “Happy Retirement!” But her eyes looked glassy, and she kept re-reading the same note in her hand.

Olivia stared at the empty chair next to her in homeroom. She reached into her backpack, pulled out a friendship bracelet, and held it in her lap. She didn’t speak for the entire class.

Taylor stood at the edge of the diving board, staring down at the water. “I’m not scared,” she mumbled, though her hands trembled and her knees bent slightly.

Ella glanced over her shoulder three times before slipping the envelope into her teacher’s mailbox. She ducked down the hallway and disappeared into the crowd.

The cake was slightly lopsided, with purple icing unevenly spread across the top. “Happy Birthday, Grandma” was written in crooked letters, with a heart drawn backwards at the end.

The credits rolled, and the lights came up in the theater. No one clapped. A few people stood up quickly and shook their heads as they walked toward the exit.

Jenna stormed out of her math class, her eyes fixed on the floor. She slammed her locker shut so hard that the kid next to her jumped. Without saying a word, she marched down the hallway, ignoring her best friend calling her name.

Max walked into the living room, dragging his backpack behind him. His parents looked up, but he didn’t say anything. He kept his eyes on the floor and shuffled toward the stairs.

Sam tossed a beach towel into the backseat, put on his sunglasses, and grabbed the sunscreen from the kitchen. He was wearing a tank top and flip-flops, even though it was only 8 a.m.

Miguel rubbed his eyes and dropped his pencil. He had studied for hours the night before, barely sleeping. Now he stared at the big red ‘C’ at the top of his test and sighed.

The family sat around the dinner table in silence. No one touched the food, and the TV in the background played quietly. Finally, Dad stood up and said, “I’ll be in the garage.”

As the bus pulled away, Jamal stood alone on the sidewalk, his phone pressed to his ear. “Yeah, I’ll find my own way,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. He wiped his eyes quickly before anyone could see.

As soon as Kevin stepped into the classroom, the whispering stopped. A few students glanced at him quickly, then looked away. One girl turned red and pretended to be reading.