The thought of Wynn’s racingpetition tonight and seeing her looking as cool as ever lifted bJordyn’s /bspirits. After putting on the outfit, she grabbed her phone for another look.

Almost immediately, bshe /bfrowned.

Normally, Wynn replied to her texts quickly. But this btime/b, she hadn’t responded at all, not even after Jordyn had finished getting ready

Could Wynn be upset?

Panic bubbled up in Jordyn as she quickly typed out another message. “Wynn, are you mad at me? You know I didn’t want Mom to take me to school but you! Please don’t be mad at me, okay?”

Even after a while, there bwas /bno breply/b.

Celeste came back to check on her. “Jo, are you done? It’s time to go down for breakfast.”

Frustrated, Jordyn snapped, “I know! bMom/b, do byou /bbhave /bto always nag? You’re so annoying!” With that, she grabbed her bag band /bstormed downstairs.

Celeste quietly followed. She did notice, however, that Jordyn’s outfit looked unfamiliar.

Celeste had always been the one to prepare Jordyn’s clothes While she’d always ensured Jordyn liked what she picked, Jordyn’s preferences had shifted drastically since visiting Andostan with Trevor.

Apparently, it was because Jordyn had taken up climbing and skateboarding under Wynn’s influence.

Wynn was bnot /bonly academically aplished but also an adventurous, charismatic woman with many hobbies. Jordyn idolized her, to the point of adopting her style and interests.

Celeste was saddened by Jordyn’s growing attachment to Wynn but never voiced her feelings. She even adjusted her choices when buying clothes for Jordyn, tailoring them to her current tastes.

Yet, Jordyn barely touched anything Celeste bought. She only wore outfits Wynn bselected /bfor her.

Seeing Jordyn in the camouge outfit, Celeste could guess exactly where it came from. Nheless, she simply acted as though she hadn’t noticed and walked downstairs with her usualposure.

Teagan and the others were still asleep, but Martha was already awake.

“bCel/b, Jo, you’re up early.”

Celeste greeted with a smile, “Good morning, Grandma.”

Jordyn mumbled, “Morning, bNana/bb,/b”

Martha noticed her tonecking enthusiasm and asked, “Jo, are you bupset/b? What’s wrong?”

Jordyn didn’t respond. She didn’t feel like talking.

Peter, bwho /bhad heard Celeste knocking on Jordyn’s door earlier, chimed in with a chuckle. “bShe’s /bprobably just grumpy from being woken up too early.”

Martha bsmiled /bat Peter’sment but turned to Celeste. “Where’s Trevor? Is he still asleep?”

Celeste remainedposed. “He went outst night for something.”

Martha’s face darkened. She had a good bidea /bof what that “something” might be. However, since Jordyn was present, she refrained from criticizing Trevor openly and let it go.

After breakfast, as they were preparing to leave, Jordyn realized she had forgotten something and bran /bupstairs to fetch it. Celeste stayed downstairs, waiting for her.

Momentster, Jordyn’s phone buzzed on the table. The screen lit up, disying the contact name “Wynn” with ba /bheart emoji.

Celeste froze for a moment.

Though Jordyn was still young, Celeste had always respected her privacy. She’d never once snooped through her phone. But now, Celeste couldn’t help picking up the phone

She quickly scanned their chat history and pieced together why Jordyn had been irritable all morning. Jordyn messaged Wynn each morning to say good morning, and they chatted frequently at length.

Hearing the elevator, Celeste swiftly ced the phone back where it had been.

When Jordyn returned and saw that Wynn had replied, her mood shifted instantly. Wynn’s message reassured her that she would never be mat at Jordyn and that she had only woken up earlier.

Jordyn beamed with happiness after reading the message.

Celeste nced back subtly. She knew exactly what had brightened Jordyn’s mood but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Jordyn was too engrossed in her joy and didn’t notice Celeste’s nce.

After that, Jordyn sat in the backseat of the car and happily chatted with Wynn on her phone. asionally, she would sneak nces at Celeste to see if she was paying attention.

However, Celeste remained focused on driving. Satisfied, Jordyn continued messaging

The distance to the school was considerable. After about half an hour of chatting, Jordyn set her phone aside. As her mood was now entirely lifted, she began talking to Celeste.

“Mom, are you free this afternoon?”

Celeste asked without looking back, “Why?”

Jordyn, avoiding the question, whined yfully, “Just tell me.”

“There’s a lot going ontely. I don’t have time. What is it?”

Jordyn grinned. “bOh/b, it’s nothing.”

She thought bgiddily/b, “If Morn is busy, she won’t have time to pick me up bafter /bschool. That means I can go straight to Wynn after ss without worrying about being caught.”

At bschool/b, Celeste apanied Jordyn to speak with her homeroom teacher, Donna Alper. Donna then led them to Jordyn’s ssroom.

Just as they were about to enter, a sweet, childlike voice called out, “Ms. Rodriguez!”

Celeste paused and turned, only to see a tiny figure barreling toward her. Hastily, she crouched bto /bcatch the child so that they wouldn’t fall.

When the child looked up, Celeste quickly recognized her.

“Sylvia?”

+25 bBONUS /b

It bwas /bindeed Sylvia, the little girl she had saved bfrom /ba dog attack several days ago.

“Mm–hmm!” Sylvia smiled brightly, looking particrly adorable with her twin braids.

Celeste’s voice softened instinctively. “Sylvia, do you go to school here too”

Before she could finish, bJordyn /babruptly pushed Sylvia aside

“bJo/b” Celeste eximed as she caught Sylvia from falling. Sylvia, are you okay?”

Sylvia shook her head and looked at Jordyn confusedly. “Why… Why did you push me?”

Jordyn had initially been confused by Sylvia’s sudden appearance. But when she noticed how close Celeste seemed to be with Sylviab, /bshe became annoyed.

Sylvia was on the verge of tears, and Jordyn’s face twisted with disdain.

“You’re so weak. You look ugly and disgusting in pink!”