The next morning, Jasper woke before dawn.
For the first time in weeks, he slept peacefully. No coughing from the next room. No worries gnawing at his chest about whether Grandma Ruth had taken her medicine or if Grandpa Walter was still breathing. Just silence. Deep, uninterrupted rest.
He sat up slowly, blinking at the unfamiliar room. The storage room. Right. He was at the Smiths' now.
But the peace did not last long.
School.
The word alone made his stomach twist. He had been gone for weeks, missed lectures, quizzes, assignments. Catching up academically would be hard enough. But facing his classmates? That was something else entirely.
They would ask questions.
Or worse, they would ignore him completely.
A soft knock broke through his thoughts.
"Come in," Jasper said.
The door opened, and Grace stepped inside, still in her morning robe, hair tied back. She looked surprised to see him already awake and sitting upright.
"Oh! You are up already," she said with a warm smile. "I was coming to wake you for school. Did you sleep alright? I was not sure if the bed was comfortable enough."
"It was great, Mrs. Grace," Jasper said quietly. "Best sleep I have had in a long time."
Her expression softened. "Good. I am glad." She gestured toward the hallway. "The bathroom is just behind the laundry room. Get yourself ready, and come for breakfast when you are done. Do not rush, we have time."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."
Grace nodded and left, closing the door gently behind her.
Jasper moved quickly. He showered, dressed in his cleanest faded shirt and jeans, and was downstairs before Kelvin even dragged himself out of bed.
Breakfast was simple but filling: scrambled eggs, toast, sausages, and orange juice. Grace set a full plate in front of Jasper without asking if he was hungry. He had learned by now not to argue.
Kelvin stumbled down the stairs ten minutes later, hair still messy, yawning loud enough to wake the dead. "Morning," he mumbled, dropping into his chair.
Lily appeared a moment later, already dressed and put-together in a fitted blouse and jeans, her blonde hair swept over one shoulder. She grabbed a piece of toast and bit into it while standing.
"Sit down and eat properly, Lily," Grace said without looking up from her coffee.
"I am fine, Mum. Not that hungry."
"Sit."
Lily sighed but sat.
David came down last, dressed for work in a crisp shirt and slacks. He grabbed his coffee, kissed Grace on the cheek, and glanced at the three of them. "You're all heading out together?"
"Yeah," Kelvin said through a mouthful of eggs.
David looked at Jasper. "First day back. You good?"
Jasper nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Alright. If you need anything, call Grace. And Kelvin, do not let him walk into trouble."
"I will not, Dad."
David left, and the three of them finished breakfast in comfortable silence. When they were done, Grace handed Jasper a small brown paper bag.
"Lunch," she said simply. "In case you do not have money for the canteen."
Jasper's throat tightened. "Mrs. Grace, you do not have to."
"I know I do not have to." Her tone was firm but kind. "But I did. Now take it and go before you are late."
He took the bag. "Thank you."
She smiled and shooed them toward the door.
The three of them walked together through the quiet morning streets. The air was cool, the sky still pale with early light. Kelvin talked nonstop about some game updates he had missed while Jasper was gone. Lily walked on Jasper's other side, scrolling through her phone but occasionally glancing at him like she wanted to say something.
After fifteen minutes, the campus came into view.
Newhaven College.
Jasper stopped walking.
The place was massive, easily the size of a small town. Towering glass buildings reflected the morning sun, their modern architecture sleek and imposing. Manicured lawns stretched between faculties, dotted with fountains, sculptures, and marble benches. Students in designer clothes walked past luxury cars parked in neat rows. Everything screamed wealth, privilege, exclusivity.
This was the kind of school where tuition alone could buy a house.
And Jasper? He was the charity case in faded jeans.
A familiar knot twisted in his gut, the same one he used to feel every morning before walking through those gates. The reminder that he did not belong. That he was only here because of a scholarship, because his grades were good enough to justify keeping him around.
The rich kids knew it. The teachers knew it. Even the janitors knew it.
But he had no choice. So he took a breath and kept walking.
They passed through the iron gates, tall, ornate, engraved with the university crest, and onto the main campus pathway. Students milled about in groups, laughing, shouting, showing off new phones and clothes. A few luxury cars rolled past toward the staff parking lot.
Lily spotted a group of girls near the music faculty building and waved. "I will see you guys later," she said, already heading toward them.
"Later," Kelvin called after her.
Now it was just Jasper and Kelvin, walking toward the Science Faculty on the east side of campus. The building was newer than most, white stone, floor-to-ceiling windows, state-of-the-art labs visible through the glass.
They were halfway there when a high-pitched voice rang out behind them.
"Kelvin!"
Both of them turned.
A girl was running toward them, long dark hair bouncing, bright smile, wearing a fitted dress that hugged her curves. She was beautiful in that effortless way some girls just were.
Eliana.
Kelvin's girlfriend.
She crashed into him with a hug, wrapping her arms around his neck and laughing. Kelvin grinned, holding her waist. "Missed me that much?"
"Obviously," she said, pulling back just enough to kiss his cheek.
Then she noticed Jasper standing a few feet away.
Her expression shifted, surprise, then recognition. "Jasper! You are back!"
Jasper nodded. "Yeah."
She stepped out of Kelvin's arms and walked closer, her smile softening. "How was the funeral? Are you okay?"
"It was fine," he said flatly. "Thanks for asking."
Eliana looked like she wanted to say more, but Kelvin cut in. "Babe, we are already late. Can you two catch up later?"
She laughed. "Right, sorry." She laced her fingers with Kelvin's and started walking beside him.
Jasper fell into step ahead of them, giving them space. Behind him, he could hear their low voices, the occasional laugh. They were in their own world.
He did not mind. Better to be invisible than pitied.
But the farther they walked, the slower Kelvin and Eliana moved. Whispers. Soft laughter. Hands intertwined.
By the time Jasper reached the Science Faculty entrance, they were a good ten meters behind.
He pushed open the glass door and stepped inside.
The hallway was loud, students talking, lockers slamming, footsteps echoing off polished floors. Jasper kept his head down and headed toward his classroom at the end of the hall.
The door was already open. Inside, the noise was even louder. People shouting, laughing, throwing paper balls, leaning on desks.
Jasper stepped through the doorway.
The room went silent.
Every head turned. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. Eyes locked onto him.
It was not normal. It never used to be like this.
Jasper was known in class, not for being popular, but for being smart. Top of the grade. The guy who aced every test and never spoke unless called on. He did not have friends. Did not go to parties. Did not hang out after school.
He was just there. A name on the honor roll. A ghost in the class.
But now, everyone was staring.
He walked slowly toward his seat in the middle-left section of the room. Each step felt heavier than the last. Whispers started, low, just barely audible.
"That is him, right?"
"Yeah. Heard his grandparents died."
"Did not he get kicked out of his house?"
Jasper's jaw tightened. He reached his desk and sat down, dropping his bag beside the chair.
The stares did not stop.
He could feel them, dozens of eyes, watching, judging.
He stared straight ahead at the empty board, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.