When he reaches the car, Paulo leans towards the window and offers his hand. “Hi, Annie’s mom, I’m Paulo.” Lorraine hesitates. “Hello, Paulo.” “Now that we’re in this new school, I can walk home with Annie so you don’t have to drive her every day. I don’t live too far from you.” Annie’s heart races. Paulo wants to walk home together? “Thank you, Paulo,” Lorraine says. “But we’re fine. Come on, Annie, we’ve got errands to run.” Annie doesn’t want to go. She doesn’t want to open the door. Paulo does it for her. She slowly ducks inside and reluctantly lets him close it. “If you change your
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