"I tell you," Michelle said to everyone at our table, holding her hands out dramatically. She had a captive audience, and she knew how to use it. "The Dark Rider was in our classroom this morning! And then when we saw Mr. Wilson later, he said he was there… the whole time!"
Dylan narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure it was the Dark Rider?"
"Oh, yeah!" Michelle replied and then looked over at me. "Right, Jess?"
I nodded but didn't say anything. It was my first day back at school in the cafeteria without Dakota, and it felt... off. Like something, or someone, was missing. And he was.
"Are you okay?" Lexie asked, keeping her voice low as she leaned toward me while Michelle went on with her story.
I shook my head. "No, but I will be."
"Anyway," Michelle continued, "everyone is invited to my house after school today so we can plan our attack."
