Bound To The Shadow

I tried Blossom's number again.

Still nothing.

"Seriously, Blossom? You're dodging me on the one week I actually need you to show up like a functioning older sister?" I muttered, flopping onto my bed in frustration. I held my phone to my chest, staring at the fairy lights above my ceiling.

Tomorrow was the school charity gala. It wasn’t just another cheesy high school event—it was important. Mom had vanished into another art gallery exhibition tour, and it was supposed to be Blossom representing the family. Instead, all I was getting was static silence.

I sighed and swung my legs off the bed. No use stewing over a phone that clearly didn’t want to ring back.

Downstairs, I could hear faint laughter from the kitchen—Mom must’ve left a video call open with one of her agents again. I grabbed my jacket and headed out. The walk to school was brisk, the spring air sharp but energizing.

---

By the time I reached St. Evangeline High, everything was buzzing. Banners were being strung across pillars, the scent of warm bagels filled the front entrance, and the student council was practically tripping over clipboards.

"BLUE!" Maya waved at me with both hands, nearly smacking Killian, the council president, in the face. "Tell me you brought the RSVP list!"

"First of all, good morning to you too," I replied, pulling the neatly organized folder from my backpack. "And yes, unlike you, I’m always prepared."

Killian muttered something about control freaks under his breath, which Maya ignored with practiced grace.

We passed the quad, where a few kids were already setting up tables for the art booth and the community raffle. And there he was—Isaac.

Leaning against a tree, earbuds in, sketchpad in hand. Just... vibing. His soft brown hair curled perfectly under the beanie I gave him, and the lazy smile he flashed when he saw me made the breath catch in my throat.

I slid onto the bench beside him.

"Good morning, sunshine," he said, pulling out one earbud.

"Hey, Picasso," I teased, nodding at his sketchpad. "Drawing me again?"

He turned the pad to show me. It was a soft graphite sketch—me, caught mid-laugh, with messy curls and all.

"You caught my gremlin side this time," I noted.

"Your best side," he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek. My shoulders relaxed without me even realizing they’d been tight.

"Blossom's MIA," I said quietly.

He frowned. "No call back?"

I shook my head. "It’s weird, even for her."

Isaac took my hand. "You need me to come with you tomorrow? In case she bails?"

"Maybe. You’d look great in a blazer."

"I’ll wear the one you like. The navy with the silver pin."

I smiled, grateful, before the moment was interrupted by the shrill ping of my locker notification on my school app. I headed over to check and found an envelope stuck between the vents.

No name. No return address.

I opened it slowly. Inside: one line, printed in black.

"Your big sis's gotten her self in real trouble."

My throat tightened.

Who would send something like this?

I turned sharply, scanning the hallway—but it was full of movement. Laughing students, bustling volunteers, nothing suspicious.