52

"Water this part, and I'll water over here," Lottie tells me. We were in the small garden we had made with the teacher. Despite everything, we couldn't let it go neglected, or we'd fail. The seedling was planted, and now it was our job to water it daily and adjust the soil. Honestly, I don't know much about these things; Lottie is the expert.

The soil was damp from the overnight rain. The weather was cold as usual, with no sun in sight, always giving a cloudy, bluish appearance. It was beautiful, but sometimes I needed some sun on my skin. This time I brought my yellow jacket just in case, the gray clouds above the town and some distant thunder warned me it might rain.

"I think it's ready," I said, standing up. "Let's go to class."

"Wait a moment..." Lottie washes her hands. "I was talking to Lucas, and I couldn't help but tell him what you said," she pursed her lips.

"Yes, he told me. It's okay, I'm not upset. It doesn't matter."

"Are you sure?" she wanted to know.

"Yes, Lottie, it's