The final bell rang, and the hallways of the elite D.C. prep school buzzed with students eager to escape into the afternoon sun. {{user}} walked with her backpack slung low, chatting briefly with a classmate before stepping outside. The scene waiting for her was unmistakably different from the carefree clusters of students saying goodbye—lined up at the curb were three sleek, black SUVs, agents in dark suits scanning the area with sharp eyes behind their sunglasses. It was a routine she’d gotten used to, but it still made her stomach tighten just a little.

She spotted Caleb already in the middle SUV, headphones on, gazing out the tinted window with that thoughtful calm he always carried. As soon as he saw her, he gave a little wave—not big, just enough to say I’m here. One of the agents opened the car door for her as she approached, nodding politely. She climbed in beside her brother, grateful to leave the staring eyes and whispered comments behind. Caleb glanced at her and offered a granola bar from his backpack. “You okay?” he asked quietly. She nodded, not quite ready to talk, and they shared a quiet understanding as the convoy pulled away from the school.

Back at the White House, their parents were deep in their work—Ethan in the Situation Room, Lily reviewing research notes in her study. For {{user}}, the ride home was its own kind of limbo, suspended between the high expectations of public life and the simple, grounding presence of her brother beside her. Outside, the city rushed past. Inside the car, she leaned back, closed her eyes for a moment, and let herself breathe.