The final bell of the year rang out, and students spilled from classrooms like prisoners set free. The hallways buzzed with energy, relief, and the hum of summer plans. Posters were already being torn down. Lockers slammed shut for the last time that semester.
Claire leaned against a bench under the big tree in the courtyard, the sunlight filtering through the leaves above. Her uniform blazer was unbuttoned, her tie loosened in a casual knot. A rare look of relaxation softened her usually composed face.
Amber flopped down beside her, tossing her backpack to the ground. Jade followed shortly, her hair bouncing with each step, phone in hand as always.
"No more exams," Amber sighed dramatically, stretching. "No more uniforms. Just sun, pool days, and—"
"Mosquitoes," Jade cut in flatly.
Claire smirked. "And heatstroke."
Amber gave them both a withering look. "Okay, you two can stay home and be boring. I'm going to enjoy every second of summer."
"You're just excited to keep seeing your boyfriend with his shirt off," Claire said.
Jade snorted. "Oh yeah. Your hockey boy's team still practices, right?"
Amber's grin turned sly. "Yup. Rink's been shut down since the end of April, so they've been training outdoors. Watching sweaty guys suffer in the sun is... unexpectedly therapeutic."
Claire laughed. "You're shameless."
"I'm honest."
"Fine line."
Jade glanced at them both, then casually announced, "I dumped Evan, by the way."
Amber blinked. "Wait—again? That's like… what, number nine?"
Claire held up her fingers. "Ninth in two years. At this rate, you'll need a spreadsheet."
Jade rolled her eyes. "He got clingy. Started texting good morning and good night every single day. Wanted to 'talk about feelings.' Gross."
Amber chuckled. "You mean he started acting like a boyfriend."
"Exactly," Jade said with a mock gag. "Anyway, he got boring. All he talked about was lifting and protein. And he thought I was the shallow one."
Claire tilted her head. "Weren't you dating him because of his arms?"
"Yeah, but arms only get you so far if there's nothing going on up here," Jade said, tapping her temple.
Amber nudged her with a grin. "So you're free next week to drool over mine?"
"No promises," Jade said with a smirk. "But I wouldn't mind a little scouting."
The girls laughed, the sun warm on their backs as the distant clang of lockers echoed faintly from inside.
Summer hadn't even started yet, and it already felt promising.
The Bennett-Carter dining table was set with celebratory takeout — a mix of everyone's favorites: Chinese, burgers, fries, spring rolls, and way too much soda. Summer had officially begun, and the mood in the house was one of earned relief and cautious optimism.
Tom raised his glass of cola. "To another year done and dusted. And to two relatively sane children who made it through without causing major property damage."
"Or expulsion," Rachel added with a smirk.
Claire smiled politely. "Cheers."
Chris lazily clinked his glass to the others'. "Barely made it. I thought Ms. Reynolds was gonna hang me by my jersey during finals week."
"You passed everything," Claire pointed out.
"Because you helped me cram for half the subjects," he said, nudging her foot under the table.
Rachel beamed at them both. "I'm proud of you, seriously. You worked hard."
Claire shrugged lightly. "Well, I'm single again, so I had more time."
Tom raised an eyebrow. "Another one?"
Chris blinked, mid-bite. "Wait, hold up. You and whatshisname broke up? The basketball guy?"
Claire nodded. "Yeah. Same reason as the last one. He got all pushy when I wouldn't sleep with him after, what, three weeks of dating?"
Chris narrowed his eyes. "Which one was he again?"
"The blonde. Third-year. You know, always wore those sleeveless hoodies like it was his brand."
Chris nodded slowly, humming with vague disapproval. Tom, already noticing a shift in the air, pointed a warning finger.
"Don't."
Chris blinked innocently. "Don't what?"
"You know what."
"I literally don't."
Rachel's eyes narrowed. "Okay. What am I missing here?"
Chris and Tom shared the unmistakable look of men trying not to step on a landmine.
"Nothing," Chris said too quickly. "Can we pass the soy sauce?"
Rachel crossed her arms. "Christopher."
"What? I didn't do anything," Chris said defensively.
Rachel's gaze turned icy. Under her stare, Chris sighed and raised his hands in surrender.
"I might have had a physical... discourse with the previous guy. About treating women with respect."
Tom coughed into his fist. "He broke the guy's nose."
Rachel's eyes widened. "You did what?"
Claire suddenly sat up, eyes wide. "Hold on. That's why he showed up the next day with a patch on his nose and apologized? I thought he felt bad!"
Chris leaned back, looking betrayed. "Are you saying it worked?"
Rachel was still in shock. "Chris — violence isn't the answer!"
Chris, sulking, turned to her. "Okay, but do you remember when you went on that business trip last month?"
"Yeah?" Rachel asked, not following.
"Well, guess what Father did while you were gone? He went fishing with his buddies. All weekend."
Tom froze mid-sip. "You traitor."
Chris shrugged. "You snitch on me, I snitch on you. I'm not facing Mom's wrath alone."
Rachel slowly turned her head toward Tom, who immediately raised his hands like he was under arrest. "It was just one trip!"
Claire snorted, covering her mouth as laughter bubbled up. Chris grinned. Tom groaned dramatically.
"You two," Rachel muttered, rubbing her temples. "You're more alike than you admit."
"Hey," Tom said, nudging Claire. "At least we've got one angel at the table."
"You two just wait till I deal with you," Rachel said, less angry now, but still not letting them off the hook.
Tom and Chris groaned in unison.