After hours of fruitless searching, morale was running dangerously low. The group exchanged small talk in an attempt to lift their spirits, but it wasn't working. Fatigue hung heavy in the air like a thick fog.

Alex finally broke the silence. "We haven't had anything on Dylan. Anyone have any bright ideas?"

Leo sighed, rubbing his temples. "My idea-maker is fried. I haven't eaten anything all day. And I can't stop thinking about pizza."

Kimmy chimed in, "I'd settle for a cup of coffee... and maybe a new identity."

Andy leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, "I just want to go outside for a walk."

Ava rolled her eyes. "Pff. Okay, grandpa. Personally, I just want to break something, preferably with a hammer. And I do know a warehouse nearby where I can do just that."

Alex looked around. Dwayne was slumped over a table, fast asleep from exhaustion. Alvin and Alice were near a bookshelf, quietly flipping through pages, while Sofia was diligently searching another shelf nearby. Kevin and Shoyo were at a third bookshelf, visibly tired but still working. Claire sat at a table, her eyes heavy with fatigue as she turned pages slowly.

Lucy then nudged Alex's shoulder, pulling him aside. He followed her around a bookshelf.

"What's up?" Alex asked quietly trying to mask his own exhaustion.

Lucy glanced at the others, "The gang seems... not great. A break might be a good chance to talk to them."

Alex considered her words. Lucy was right. Taking a moment to connect with everyone might be the best idea. It would be exhausting, but seeing them relax, even briefly, was worth the effort.

"Yeah," he agreed, nodding.

"It might be the best idea to spend some time with each of them. It'll be tiring, but it might help everyone recharge."

He took a deep breath, readying himself for the task ahead. If they were going to find something on Dylan, they needed to be at their best.

Alex nodded and walked over to Leo, a determined look on his face. "Leo! Pizza time!"

Leo looked up, bewildered. "But what about-"

"Pizza. TIME," Alex insisted, cutting him off with a firm tone.

Leo held up his hands in mock defeat, "Okay, okay, let's go."

Noah called out from behind a stack of books. "Hey, make sure you bring enough for the rest of the class!"

Alex gave a thumbs-up, grabbed his jacket, and headed out with Leo. They walked briskly to Leo's car, the warm afternoon air offering a brief respite from the stuffy library. The drive to the diner was quiet, the hum of the engine and the occasional murmur of the radio filling the silence. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting fleeting glows across their faces. Leo navigated the nearly empty streets with ease, his eyes focused ahead, while Alex stared out the window, lost in thought.

When they arrived at the diner, its neon sign flickered dimly in the daylight. The place was mostly empty, a few late-afternoon patrons scattered at tables. Alex and Leo ordered three large pizzas and took seats at the counter to wait. Leo's fingers tapped aggressively against the countertop, a rapid, restless rhythm that mirrored his thoughts.

Alex glanced at him, sensing the turmoil. "You know... some people would consider a suspension from school an opportunity to relax."

Leo scoffed, but his fingers didn't stop.

"How am I supposed to relax while my future is sprinting away from me?"

Alex leaned back, trying to sound reassuring. "Don't you think you're taking this a little too hard? It's not like you're expelled."

"You don't understand, Alex," Leo replied, his voice tight with frustration.

"My record was spotless! And now it's all... ruined."

Alex shook his head gently. "This is just one small setback. It's not like it erases all your other achievements."

Leo sighed, his fingers finally stilling. "I know, but it feels like everything I've worked for is slipping through my fingers."

Leo's voice trembled with frustration.

"It will if Mrs. Johnson decides to get the police involved, like she threatened."

He sighed heavily, the weight of his predicament pressing down on him.

"And what am I gonna tell my parents?"

Alex furrowed his brows, concern etched across his face. "Leo, how did this even happen? I thought you threw the bottles away."

"I did," Leo insisted. "You saw me do it. But when I opened my locker today, there they were-not just a few, but the whole locker was filled with them. And of course, it just had to happen when Mrs. Johnson was standing right there."

"She has to know it was a set-up, right? No one would be stupid enough to keep a big pile of pills in their locker," Alex said, trying to inject some logic into the situation.

"But every one of the bottles has my name on it," Leo said, his voice cracking.

"And not in the metaphorical sense... in the cold, hard evidence sense."

Leo pushed his glasses up to rest on top of his head and rubbed his eyes vigorously.

"This is... I just can't believe how badly I messed up."

Alex took a deep breath and tried to keep his own anxiety in check. "Okay, why don't we see if we can put things into perspective?"

Alex spun on his stool to face Leo directly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Leo seemed to relax slightly under his touch.

"Look, you can always drop out and become an artist," Alex said, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Who needs school, really? Just get a job at a coffee shop, buy some paint brushes, grow a beard."

Leo managed a weak smile. "I think it takes a bit more than that to be an artist. But I would love to be an artist. None of those options are for me. I'm supposed to go to Oxford University in England. If I don't get in, my mom will have an aneurysm."

Alex's expression softened. "But do you want to go to Oxford?"

Leo immediately said, "Why wouldn't I? It's one of the best schools in the world. Anyone would be lucky to go there. I guess."

Alex leaned in closer, his tone gentle but probing. "Let me ask, is there anything that you choose for yourself?"

Leo frowned. "Of course, I picked the pizza toppings and this sweater. Actually, the sweater may have been a Christmas gift."

Leo stiffened, staring off into the distance with his brow furrowed. He grimaced. "I think... I'm totally living someone else's life, aren't I?"

All at once, his body sagged. He ran his hands through his hair, breaking up the meticulously combed waves, and laughed humorlessly.

"What am I doing? All this work to go to a school that I don't even know if I want to go to. I mean, I'm in the chair of the knitting club, Alex."

Alex's eyes widened. "Woah! I didn't even know we had a knitting club, seriously."

They both cracked up, the tension between them easing. Leo looked at Alex, a new determination in his eyes.

"Alex, I'm going to take your advice. This isn't the end of the world; it's just the beginning. Thanks, Alex. I feel like a new person."

Leo leaned in closer, excitement shining in his eyes for the first time since they were kids, making him look carefree. Alex wrapped his arms around Leo's shoulders, giving him a tight hug.

Leo sighed, content. "I needed one of these, Alex. You're a good friend."

Alex smiled warmly. "I do my best."

They were startled by the sound of a bell dinging as a stack of pizza boxes was placed in front of them. Alex pulled away from Leo and said, "We should get these back before they get cold."

Leo nodded. As Alex stood up to leave, Leo's phone buzzed. He picked it up, tensing.

"Is it your mom? Do you want to get that? I'll wait," Alex offered.

Leo shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "You know what? I don't think I do. I'm already in trouble anyway, right?"

Alex chuckled. "Now you're living on the wild side."

Leo scooped up the pizza boxes, and Alex followed him out of the diner. They reached Leo's car, and as they drove back to the library, the streets were bathed in the soft, golden light of the setting sun.

The car's engine purred as they navigated through the quiet town. The tires rolled smoothly over the asphalt, the rhythmic thrum of the road offering a calming backdrop to their journey. The sky was a canvas of oranges and purples, the last rays of sunlight casting long shadows on the empty streets. They passed familiar landmarks, each one a silent witness to their shared history.

Alex glanced over at Leo, who seemed more relaxed than he had in weeks. The radio played softly, a gentle hum that blended seamlessly with the sounds of the town winding down for the evening. The air was filled with the scent of fresh pizza, mingling with the cool, crisp breeze that drifted through the open windows.

Leo leaned back in his seat, a contented sigh escaping his lips. "This feels nice," he said, almost to himself.

Alex smiled, keeping his eyes on the road.

"It does. Sometimes you just need to step back and breathe."

They turned onto the street where the library stood, its silhouette looming against the twilight sky. As they pulled into the parking lot, the headlights illuminated the familiar entrance. The library seemed more inviting than ever, a beacon of light and warmth.

They both got out of the car, carefully balancing the pizza boxes.

Leo said, "Alex, we should eat outside since food, like pizza and other items, is not allowed in the library."

Alex nodded and scanned the area for a suitable spot to sit. He spotted a row of benches under the shade of a nearby tree. They walked over and carefully placed the pizza boxes on the bench. Leo then headed back into the library to gather everyone.

A few moments later, Leo emerged with the rest of the group, their faces lighting up at the sight of the pizzas. They settled down on the benches. Laughter and chatter filled the air as they devoured the pizzas, savoring each bite.

The camaraderie was palpable, the shared meal a welcome break from their search. As they finished, the group lingered a bit longer, enjoying the moment before heading back inside the library. The break had rejuvenated them, and they returned to their work with renewed energy and a sense of togetherness.

Inside the library, the group was scattered once again. They started searching for clues on Dylan again.

After 10 minutes of searching Alex approached Andy, who looked up from his book with a tired smile.

Grinning, Alex asked, "Hey, are you serious about that walk? Because I happen to be a pretty big fan of walking."

Andy grinned back, stretching in his seat. "Hell yeah! If I have to sit still for one more second, I'm gonna freak out."

The two of them headed for the front doors of the library and out into the late afternoon sun. The warmth was a welcome change after the stuffy library, and they walked in companionable silence for a while. After a brief walk, they found themselves at Riverwood Park, a few blocks away. The park was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling leaves and distant laughter of children playing.

Alex glanced at Andy. "So, you want to talk?"

Andy stared at his shoes, kicking rocks off the gravel path. "Hm? Oh, sorry. I was just wondering if I should head back to the gym. You know, get in some practice."

Alex frowned. "I thought basketball practice was canceled today. Because of... you know..."

He held up his hands, fingers twitching up like spider legs.

Andy chuckled but it was a hollow sound.

"Okay, yeah. There's no official practice... but I have to put in twice the work those guys do to get a second of game time. I can't afford not to."

Andy let out a sigh and sat on a nearby bench. Alex joined him, the wood creaking slightly under their weight.

Alex said. "Working hard is important, but so is taking a break. You're going to burn yourself out by the time real practice starts again."

He nudged Andy's shoulder playfully.

"Besides, I think tarantula-rain is a good reason to avoid the gym for a while."

Andy sighs deeply, his shoulders slumping under an invisible weight. Alex, noticing his friend's distress, nudges him again but this time gently.

"Come on, what's on your mind? I'm doing my best to help here."

Andy sighed again, more deeper this time.

"It's just... everything's messed up. For one second, everything was perfect. I was exactly where I wanted to be, doing exactly what I wanted to do. But then Zack got worse, and then Korban too. What if they never wake up?"

"Hey, don't say that!" Alex interjected firmly.

"They got the venom out of his system; he's doing okay."

"No, Alex," Andy countered, his voice breaking. "He still hasn't woken up."

"Well, he's going to be fine because if he's not fine, then... Dan's not fine. And I refuse to let that happen. Even if I have to face Dylan alone again and wake them myself."

"But the doctors couldn't wake them up. So how can you?" Andy's skepticism was palpable.

Alex grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Uh... yelling really loud, playing the theme song to Friends?"

Andy chuckled despite himself. Alex's optimism was infectious.

"We'll figure this out together, Andy. We'll get everyone back."

Slowly, a smile crept across Andy's face. The two friends shared a moment of understanding as the sun began to set, casting a faint pink glow over the park. They stood up and embraced in a tight hug.

"Andy, you're squishing me," Alex said, laughing.

Andy released him quickly. "Oops! Sorry, guess all these pull-ups are really starting to pay off."

They made their way back to the library, rejoining their friends who were still poring over books and documents. Alex turned to Kimmy, determination in his eyes.

"Kimmy, come on. Me. You. Coffee. Now."

Kimmy raised an eyebrow. "Gosh, how can I refuse such an eloquent invitation?"

Lucy chimed in from her spot by the bookshelf. "Can you bring me a chai?"

"Sure. Everybody text us your orders," Alex said, smiling.

Alex and Kimmy grabbed their things and headed toward the café downtown. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows on the sidewalk as they walked, the city alive with the hum of evening activity. They stepped into the cozy café, the rich aroma of coffee beans welcoming them.

They sat at the small café table, surrounded by the bustling ambiance of the downtown scene. They had ordered a dozen coffees for their friends back at the library, waiting patiently for the barista to finish preparing the drinks. Kimmy, visibly worn out, rested her head against the table, seeking a moment of respite from the day's challenges.

"Kimmy," Alex began gently.

Kimmy raised her head slightly, anticipating Alex's attempt to console her.

"Alex, please don't start. I know you just want to cheer me up, but I really--"

Alex interrupted with an unexpected observation, "Er, it's not that. I don't think this table's been wiped yet. It's still covered in crumbs."

Startled, Kimmy sat up abruptly and swiped a hand across her forehead. She sighed, a mixture of frustration and resignation evident in her voice.

"Of course, toasted crumble on the crap pudding that is today."

Alex leaned in, his concern evident as he broached a sensitive topic. "Still... thinking about that video?"

Kimmy nodded slowly, her thoughts burdened by the consequences. Alex spoke reassuringly, trying to offer perspective amidst the turmoil. "This is pretty bad, if I'm being honest, but it's not the end of the world."

Kimmy's expression grew more somber. "Are you sure? Because it definitely feels like it. This is my family we're talking about. Mom's gonna be furious, Dad's gonna be disappointed, and Levin... he's gonna be so upset that I didn't tell him about this."

Alex's curiosity piqued upon hearing Levin's name.

"Speaking of, who's Levin to you? Is he someone close to you?"

Kimmy nervously bit her bottom lip, hesitating for a moment before responding. "He's actually my cousin."

Alex appeared genuinely surprised. "That's shocking. I never knew he was."

Kimmy sighed deeply, her expression reflecting a mix of apprehension and resignation as she glanced around the café. Alex, ever the supportive friend, tried to reassure her despite the weight of the situation.

"He is actually. It's kind of complicated, but he is. Let's not talk about it," Kimmy responded softly, her tone indicating a desire to steer clear of further discussion on the topic.

Alex nodded understandingly. "Look, he will understand, I'm sure. And they will forgive you. That's what family is supposed to do, right?"

A shadow crossed Kimmy's face as she recounted a childhood memory, her voice tinged with both bitterness and a hint of humor.

"My mom is soooo not the forgiving type. When I was ten, I spilled juice on her clothes accidentally, and she made me pay with my allowance. She set me up with a 'very reasonable' three-year repayment plan."

Alex chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "Okay, so your mom's a little strict and... frugal, but she cares about you. Even if she's not perfect. Besides, we've faced a lot of problems worse than your mom at this point."

As some students from Riverwood School passed by their table, Kimmy instinctively shielded her face, her discomfort palpable. Alex, ever the optimist, tried to offer comfort. "Listen to me. Everything's going to be fine."

Kimmy's response was laden with worry. "How? This is going to be the biggest scandal my mom has ever dealt with, and it's all my fault."

Alex shook his head gently, determined to bolster her spirits. "No, it's not. All you did was confide the truth in someone you thought was a friend. You couldn't have known this would happen, and you definitely don't deserve all of this after what Dylan put you through. If you really want to blame someone, blame me. If I hadn't gone to provoke Dylan..."

Kimmy cut him off firmly. "Don't say that. This was all a long time coming, trust me."

Despite the weight of the situation, Kimmy managed a weak smile. "Well, Alex, the cat's outta the bag. In any case, I guess I just gotta suck it up and move on."

Alex returned her smile warmly.

"Attagirl. And always remember, you'll always have me on your side."

Kimmy's smile brightened, and she reached out to place her hand on top of Alex's on the table. "Thanks, Alex. You are seriously the best!"

Their conversation was interrupted as their coffee order arrived. Alex and Kimmy gathered the cups and headed back to the library where their friends awaited. Despite his fatigue, Alex was determined to spend time with each of them.

Approaching Ava, Alex cleared his throat politely. "Pardon me for intruding, but I believe you mentioned breaking stuff with a hammer?"

Ava's eyes lit up with excitement. "I did! Follow me!"

Ava's smile was mischievous as she tossed her book back onto the library table, prompting Alex to follow her out. They wound their way through the familiar streets of Riverwood, finally arriving at an abandoned building on the outskirts of town.

With the agility of someone who had done this countless times before, Ava climbed to the top of the building. Alex, on the other hand, approached cautiously, his apprehension evident as he followed her lead up the rusty ladder.

Reaching the rooftop, Ava navigated around the weathered edges with ease until she reached a corner where a collection of discarded items lay scattered amidst the debris. She picked up a hefty, rust-speckled sledgehammer, effortlessly hefting it over her shoulder.

"You must have amazing biceps," Alex remarked, half in admiration and half in jest.

Ava laughed, a genuine sound that echoed against the quiet backdrop of the abandoned building.

"Are you kidding? These little things?" She flexed playfully, earning an eye-roll from Alex.

"You're totally flexing right now," he teased, pointing out the obvious.

"No, shut up!" Ava shot back with a grin, her eyes bright with excitement. She gestured towards the scattered objects around them-a pile of cinder blocks, empty glass bottles, and paint cans among the rubble.

"You want the first shot?" Ava offered, extending the sledgehammer towards Alex.

Taking the sledgehammer, Alex took a moment to get into position, winding up with determination. With a forceful swing, he brought it down onto a wooden crate, sending splinters flying across the concrete floor.

Ava took back the sledgehammer, effortlessly demonstrating her own strength as she smashed a stack of empty glass bottles with satisfying precision.

"You come here a lot, don't you?" Alex asked, curious as he watched Ava's practiced movements.

"Yeah, I guess so," Ava replied, her tone casual as she moved on to demolish a pile of cinder blocks.

"Whenever things get to be too much, or when my dad starts pissing me off."

"Your dad?" Alex queried, genuinely surprised.

"He always seemed like a nice guy to me."

Ava's expression darkened momentarily. "He's nice, alright. Nice to everyone but his 'creepy' kid," she muttered bitterly.

"He thinks he can dictate everything-how I dress, how I look. It's ridiculous."

Alex nodded in understanding, recalling their shared childhood fascination with ghost stories and Ava's defiant spirit even then.

"Uh, duh. You've always been into this stuff. What was that show you used to be obsessed with? Ghost Hunters?"

Ava's mood lightened a bit at the mention of her favorite TV series.

"Used to be? The new season starts next month," she said with a grin.

Leaning against a wall littered with graffiti, Ava continued, her voice tinged with defiance.

"My point is, every time I stand up for myself, I can hear his voice in my head-'Boys don't like girls who dress like that.' Who the hell does he think he is? He can't tell me how to dress or what my hair should look like."

Alex's voice carried a hint of concern as he spoke, trying to understand Ava's complex relationship with her father.

"But maybe there's another side to it? Maybe he's protecting you or something?"

Ava shrugged, her tone skeptical. "He's weird though. Besides, I don't need anyone's protection."

"Everyone needs help sometimes, Ava," Alex countered gently.

"There's nothing wrong with that. No one can do everything by themselves."

As Alex glanced at her, he caught the glimmer of a tear sliding down Ava's cheek, then another. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a comforting hug, holding her close.

"Ava, listen to me," he murmured, his voice soft yet firm.

"You are the most confident, exciting, headstrong... beautiful person I know."

Ava blushed, attempting to deflect his compliments. "Cut it out," she muttered, but the smile on her face betrayed her gratitude.

She returned his hug, the warmth of their friendship enveloping them both in that quiet, abandoned space atop the building. Alex pulled back slightly, extending his fist towards her.

"Come on, Don't leave me hanging," he said with a playful grin.

Ava chuckled, tapping his fist with hers and then mimicking an explosion with her mouth, breaking the tension with a burst of lightheartedness.

"Thanks, Alex. You're pretty good at this pep talk business," she said sincerely.

"Just one of my many skills," Alex replied, his own smile widening at her reaction.

"Well," Ava said, her voice lighter now, "I feel about ten times better. Let's clean off this paint and head back before those nerds make a breakthrough without us."

Alex nodded in agreement, and together they carefully descended from the rooftop of the abandoned building, leaving behind the remnants of their therapeutic release. As they returned to the library, Alex felt a sense of satisfaction knowing he had been there for Ava, offering support and encouragement.