Chapter 41 Forty One

• Jason stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his uniform. His body still ached from the fight with Ethan, but he pushed through the pain. He needed to focus on the task Fiona had given him. The promise of money was tempting, especially after the humiliation he had faced. He glanced at the crumpled bills in his pocket, thinking about how he could use that money to pay his tuition and maybe even buy a few things he wanted.
• But the memory of Irene lingered in his mind. She had helped him when he was down, and her smile made him feel seen. He didn’t know why he thought about her, especially after all the trouble Elena, Linda, and Fiona had caused him. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Now was not the time for distractions. He had to figure out how to retrieve the safe that Fiona wanted.
• Jason took a deep breath and grabbed his backpack. He headed out of his small apartment, ready to face the day. The sun was bright, and students were everywhere, chatting and laughing. It was hard for him to believe that just yesterday, he had been the one lying on the ground, bruised and humiliated. He pushed those thoughts aside and focused on what lay ahead.