t staring at the old time clock - the family heirloom that now felt more like a curse than a

ind - about the emotional baggage he was carrying. Maybe this clock was part of that. Maybe holding onto it was what

oldier-wounded, broken, and bei

.. I dese

ing is what

lost track of time. Jolting out of bed, he rushed to his sister's room to start the day. Today, he

his eyes swollen and red from a sleepl

to you? Eyes all puffy. Don't tell me that beautiful girl fro

sed by the sudden

home, that's all. Maya was an old crush from Neverland

d at her. You're head over heels. And if she walked you all the way to y

ney, and she'll be all

laugh. Hi

ob," he said quietly

nto a grin. "Then this is perfect. This is your chance t

the perfect time. I came at the

ook a breath, and

m, "Meet me at the gates. I already scheduled our appointm

one, jobless, and drowning in his own regret, he picked up a photo

urge to cry. I

I am a man, he muttered to hi

t would my brother think of me no

d to fix it myself. I don't nee

, just as thunder rumbled and lightning d

m to a hidden spot behind the gym. Two older boys were already waiting - clearly seniors base

d made introductions. Sam

Troy's p

ickly. "We're

replied, "Meet me at the Sout

line we

rned to the group.

oy said, a grin formin

the air and shouted, "