BRANDON POV
Attention was something I had gotten used to a long time ago.
But today? Today felt different.
From the moment I turned into the school driveway, the reaction hit me like a tidal wave.
Eyes piercing.
Phones went up.
Squeals.
People running — not walking — to get a look at the car.
You'd think I'd arrived in a spaceship instead of my regular black truck.
The crowd practically swallowed the driveway, and I could already see the guys at our usual spot — in the Garden, right in front of the huge fountain — leaning against the car like they were the ones trending worldwide.
Especially Oliver and Pete.
Girls clustered around them the way bees clung to honey.
Some waving posters.
Some with shirts printed with our band photos.
Some probably skipping class just to drool.
Oliver spotted me first.
"Hey, champ!" he shouted across the buzz, waving like he was announcing royalty. "Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!"
