I shut the door to my truck and took a deep breath, unable to suppress a grin. I’m home.

Palm Beach High lay stretched out before me, a collection of gray buildings with the occasional panther drawing, prom poster or plaque on the outer walls. It was a lowly community high school to some, but the best place in the world to me.

I passed a group of girls while walking across the student parking lot. A cute blond among the brood stopped mid-sentence when she caught sight of me. She forged a path between her friends, tousled her hair, and smiled.

“Hey, Brian.”

I didn’t know her from Eve, but I smiled back all the same. “Hey.”

She twisted around to giggle with her friends. I smirked and continued on my way.

“Brian!”

I paused in the middle of the hallway and…..