Chapter 15

The final class meeting marked the end of our three years of intense studying. According to tradition at Yardville High School, there would be a farewell banquet tonight—a proper send-off for both students and teachers, a grand celebration to put a perfect end to this chapter of our lives. After dinner, it was already past 9:00 p.m., but no one wanted the night to end. Someone suggested going to a karaoke bar, and since we were all adults now, our homeroom teacher didn't stop us. Instead, she made up an excuse to leave and gave us the time to enjoy ourselves. I didn't want to stay in the same space as Ethan, nor did I want to constantly be on guard against Leah's manipulative tactics. I was thinking of finding an excuse to leave when Lyla clung to my arm with excitement and wouldn't let go. "Eve, let's have a little bit of alcohol, okay? How about a mojito? I've never had alcohol before, and I really want to try it. I wonder if it's as good as people say." Lyla looked at me with h