Xena''s POV


    "Remember that tree at Samuel''s house?" Logan asked, his voice low and gentle.


    “Um,” I responded quietly, my mind instantly traveling back to countless afternoons spent beneath its sprawling branches.


    "Samuel''s dad is going to bury it," Logan continued, watching my face carefully.


    "Where?" The question slipped from my lips in a whisper, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to remainposed.


    "He wants to ce it on the hilftop overlooking our territory."


    I nodded slowly, picturing the peaceful hill with its panoramic view of thends we''d grown up in. "That would be a perfect spot." In my mind, I could see the tree standing sentinel, watching over us all just as Samuel had always done.


    "He also asked me to tell you that he forgives you. I think he''ll call you soon." Logan offered me a half-smile that didn''t quite reach his eyes.


    I stopped walking abruptly, my feet frozen to the floor outside the office. "What?" The tears threatened to spill, but I forced them back with sheer willpower. After everything that had happened at the funeral, this unexpected forgiveness felt like a weight lifting from my chest.


    "Well, isn''t this nice." A voice I''d hoped never to hear again tore my attention away from Logan. The office door swung open, and Tatum stepped out. A chill ran down my spine at the sight of him, my defenses immediately locking into ce.


    "Tatum." Logan''s voice was firm, and I could feel the tension radiating from him, his body coiled like a predator ready to strike.


    "I was hoping I''d run into you today." Tatum smiled at me, his slicked-back hair and tailored blue suit looking ridiculously out of ce in the school hallway, yet somehow no one seemed to find it strange.


    I noticed Ryder moving to stand in front of me protectively, and I didn''t protest. Instead, I reached for his hand, drawing strength from his touch as I addressed Tatum. "We were just leaving."


    "What''s the rush?" His smile remained fixed, his tone deliberately unhurried.


    "You need to get to ss, and my schedule is packed today. If you''ll excuse us.” I moved around Logan and walked into the office.


    No one followed me inside, and I finally had a moment to breathe.


    "Ms. Harris, what can I help you with today?" The secretary gave me a warm smile. She was an older woman with gray hair, sses perched low on her nose.


    "We need to take our exams remotely. I just wanted to let you know so you can email them to us, and we''ll take them tomorrow."


    “That can be arranged. Who all needs this?” She pulled out a sheet of paper.


    "Ryder, Ama, William, and myself. I''m not sure about my brother''s ns. I believe he''ll do the same, along with Penelope and


    Leonard."


    "Alright, I''ll send everything over. Anything else?" Her pen hovered over the paper.


    "I think that''s it. I''ve cleared out our lockers, and we''re still nning to attend graduation. I''ve submitted all the extra assignments, so that''s done too."


    "Actually, they might want a teacher to supervise the exams. The secretary looked concerned, ncing toward the principal''s office


    door.


    “That''s fine if needed. Just let me know, and I''ll arrange a time that works for everyone. It really wasn''t a big deal.


    "Thank you for understanding."


    "Of course. Have a nice day." I walked back out to join the three boys


    "All done?" Ryder asked, his eyes never leaving Tatum, His jaw was clenched


    tight, and I could tell he was restraining his anger.


    "Yes, can we leave now?" I asked, eager to get away from this tension


    "Let''s go," Logan replied, gripping my arm a little harder than usual. Though annoyed, I didn''t pull away.


    "I''ll be in touch, Tatum called after us with a smile as we headed down the hallway. I ignored himpletely.


    The boys formed a protective formation around me as we walked, Ryder visibly angry, and Logan equally furious. They strode purposefully toward the parking lot.


    The sunshine glinted off the cars, the ordinary scene providing a strangefort after the tension inside.


    "Logan, we need to talk," I said, giving him a meaningful look.


    "I know. I have a few things to handle, then I cane over?" he asked.


    "We have a meeting at three. Other than that, we''re flexible," Ryder said, trying to rx but failing-his clenched fists and rigid shoulders gave him away.


    "Okay, I''ll call when I''m ready. Probablyte afternoon or evening, but I''lle by to talk." Logan looked into my eyes, making a silent promise.


    "Alright," I answered softly.


    Lagan kissed my forehead, then shook Ryder''s hand before walking to his car.


    Ryder opened the car door for me, and we got in. Just as he started the engine, I caught sight of Tatum watching us through the window, his expression emotionless. The sight sent ice through my veins. Thankfully, Ryder quickly pulled out of the parking lot,. leaving that disturbing image behind.


    I instinctively ced my hand on Ryder''s thigh. The physical contact was enough to help me find my calm again.


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