Chapter 40The sun hung low over Lincoln High, casting long shadows across the front lawn. Jamal walked toward his usual spot near the lockers, where Rachel and Alex were already waiting. Despite the relative calm of the day, he couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had settled over him lately.“Finally,” Alex said as Jamal approached. “Thought you got lost in the math wing.”Jamal smirked. “Had to talk to Mr. Grayson about the SkillBridge presentation next week. We’re almost ready.”Rachel adjusted her glasses and leaned against the locker. “It feels like things are finally falling into place—at least on that front. But what about Marcus?”Jamal hesitated. He didn’t want to bring up Marcus again, not when they’d just started getting back into their routine. But Rachel had a point—Marcus wasn’t the type to let things go, especially after his family’s downfall.“Let’s not worry about him for now,” Jamal said, trying to sound casual. “We’ve got bigger things to focus on.”Alex shrugge

Chapter 42It was a breezy Saturday morning when Leah arrived at Zoe's small but vibrant studio. The space was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the walls adorned with Zoe's artistic photography. Leah paused at the entrance, admiring a striking black-and-white portrait of a young girl staring defiantly into the camera.“You made it,” Zoe greeted, waving her in. She had a streak of paint on her cheek, the sign of a productive morning.Leah stepped inside, smiling. “This place is amazing. I’ve seen your work online, but it’s something else in person.”Zoe grinned, wiping her hands on a rag. “Thanks. It’s my little sanctuary. You want coffee?”“Sure,” Leah replied, setting her bag down on a chair.As Zoe poured them both a cup, Leah wandered around, taking in the space. “So, what’s the story behind the girl in that photo?”“That’s Tasha,” Zoe said, handing Leah a mug. “She’s from the youth center I volunteer at. That look? She gave it to me when I told her to stop stealing

Chapter 44The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the neighborhood as Leah walked into the cafe where Jamal, Zoe, and Rachel were waiting. This wasn’t her first time with the group. Over the past few months, she had become an integral part of their circle—sharp-witted, resourceful, and loyal.“Finally!” Rachel exclaimed, waving her over. “We thought you’d bailed on us.”“Traffic,” Leah replied, rolling her eyes as she dropped her bag onto an empty chair. “And some old lady in the grocery store line decided to pay with coins. Fun times.”Jamal laughed. “Classic Leah. Always a story.”Leah grinned. “What can I say? Life keeps me entertained.”Zoe slid a menu toward her. “Grab something. We’re just getting started.”The group had gathered to discuss the next steps for SkillBridge, a project that had brought them together and tested their collective grit. Jamal had the vision, but it was the combined effort of everyone—Zoe’s organizational genius, Rachel’s creative spark, Leah’s k

Chapter 46 The tension in the air was palpable as Jamal and his friends gathered at the usual meeting spot after school. SkillBridge’s presentation for the city fair was just days away, and with each passing moment, Jamal felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. The pressure wasn’t just from the competition; it was the looming threat of Marcus, who was still out there, waiting for the right moment to strike. Jamal walked into the small café where his team was already seated, his mind racing with all the things they still needed to finalize. Rachel, Alex, and Zoe were all hunched over their laptops, going through the final touches of their business pitch. As Jamal slid into his seat, Zoe looked up and gave him a reassuring smile. “You ready for this?” she asked, her voice steady, though her eyes showed a hint of nervousness. “Yeah, as ready as I’ll ever be,” Jamal replied, running a hand through his hair. “But we can’t afford any mistakes. We’ve got one shot at th

Chapter 48The morning dawned with a nervous energy hanging in the air. Jamal stood in front of his mirror, straightening the collar of his shirt and practicing his speech for what felt like the hundredth time. SkillBridge was just around the corner, and every moment felt like a countdown to something monumental.Downstairs, his mother was cooking breakfast, the smell of eggs and toast wafting through the house. His father sat at the table, scrolling through his phone and occasionally glancing at the news. Despite their usual routines, the air in the Davenport household felt different—more focused, more urgent.“You ready for today?” his father asked as Jamal walked into the kitchen.“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Jamal replied, grabbing a plate and sitting down.His mother turned around, wiping her hands on a towel. “Don’t stress yourself too much, Jamal. You’ve worked hard, and we’re proud of you no matter what happens.”“Thanks, Mom,” Jamal said, his voice softer. It meant a lot to he