With Shades of Gray's most recent article up, Orchid made her way through the stairwell. She had gotten a lot of stares, she truly had taken the fall for the Originals. She was the one who decided to investigate the rest of the deaths—alone, she told Erin Hollison. And now the spotlight was back on her, but no one seemed to ask about Navaeh, still in that coma. You're safe for now, she heard herself saying.

Orchid went up the stairwell, heading for the rooftop. Even if Orchid tried to avert the spotlight from Stoll and Saira, it didn't turn out as good as she hoped it would. Having a brother as a murderer? Yeah, Stoll got threats and dirty looks, Orchid wished she could have done more. Saira got it somewhat easier, but everyone found out she almost went psycho on Stanley.

When Orchid got to the rooftop, she was surprised to see Stoll the first one there. "Not fashionably late for a change? Don't start changing up on me. Leg better?"

"A bit swollen, but I'll manage." She joined him, leaning against his body as his hand slid around her waist. They still didn't know exactly what they were.

"You haven't talked to Sam?" She knew the subject was touchy, Stoll was still dealing with the betrayal of his older brother. No one got Sam to crack yet, he stayed silent throughout all questionings and even in court. The lawyer he got was doing a pretty bad job, but Sam was guilty, there was no saving him now.

He recoiled. "No. He's been trying to call me from the police station, but I've been ignoring them." Stoll straightened, looking uneasy. "Sam's just looking to ask if he's gonna' get any of the inheritance money."

Silverleaf Academy was officially closing for good, Headmaster Roux said he deemed the damage from the Study Hall to be too severe, so the school must close its doors, but everyone knew Roux was running away from a potential lawsuit. After heavy inspection from a lawyer that Stoll hired, Blair Campbell, most of Silverleaf Academy will end up in Stoll's hands, not even Sam's.

"It's a lot of money that Samuel Anders and Maya Bell left to us," Stoll said nervously, raking his fingers through his curly hair. Absently, Orchid toyed with her silver leaf locket, courtesy of Maya Bell, a final gift now that their truth was out in the world.

"Even more now that you're selling the academy's plot of land," came Saira's voice from behind them. Saira Levine, styled in a fashionable sundress, shaded her eyes from the sun. She walked over, gawking for a few seconds. "Were you making out before I came here?"

"Shut your trap, Levine," Stoll snapped and he broke apart from Orchid. Silverleaf Academy was being torn down before the land would eventually be sold off, but Stoll insisted it was a later problem he and Mrs. Black were going to deal with. With no legal guardian, Stoll contacted Mrs. Black and she agreed to let him stay with her.

"Still don't know why you're selling this place, couldn't you fix it up a bit?" Saira asked, resting against the rooftop. She let out a tired sigh and Orchid knew about how dearly Saira missed Fareeda. Once she got over the initial shock that Fareeda sent the threat, Orchid felt awful. Thankfully, Saira was going to stay back at her mama's apartment to destress after Silverleaf closed in a day.

Stoll was silent, glancing at Orchid briefly. Orchid swore to God that every time he looked at her, butterflies erupted in her stomach. "I mean, this place was built on lies, deceit, and thievery," he said softly, propping his elbows on the ledge. Orchid and Saira joined him. "That's everything I don't want. I know, it's Samuel's and Maya's dream to allow everyone here with open arms, not just the rich." He looked at Saira, smiling slightly. "But I can't do this, I can't allow more misfortune to fall on Silverleaf."

Orchid cast a glance over her shoulder. "Are you also tearing down the Finnegan House?" The house was mostly empty now, Stoll couldn't bear seeing it standing much longer, so he often stayed in Orchid's dorm, sleeping on Bailey's old bed. They weren't taking things too seriously, he always tried not to overstep and was out the door by the time that she woke up to avoid the dorm monitor, Ms. Tara.

"Of course not. I'm not going to live there anymore, but I still care for my childhood home," he admitted, sighing. "Plus, it was Sam's home too." The Originals were all silent until Saira spoke up.

"Why did he do it? The article had a bit of a mysterious ending, no?"

It still puzzled Orchid too. "I guess we'll never know for sure. It's his own secret to keep, isn't it?" It's the one secret Orchid just couldn't figure out.

"So now what?" Stoll inquired, clasping his hands. "What happens to Shades of Gray if we're separating now? I mean, it's literally April now, only two more months until we're juniors."

"What school are you guys transferring to?" Saira questioned.

"Definitely not Riff Cliffs Catholic High School." Orchid shuddered. She had to admit that she couldn't bring herself to even look at the school; it reminded her too much of Navaeh Naylor, Jackson Millers, and Hillary Arthurs. "I'm considering going to Bronzefox, another boarding school where my dad says I can excel in journalism."

"Maybe I'll join you," Saira said, trying to smile.

"Bronzefox? I'll remember that name for you, Flower."

Orchid cleared her throat to hide her growing blush. "I know we've all grown closer than expected during these two months and I'm quite pleased with exploring our friendship."

"Oh God, not this speech nonsense again," Stoll groaned, holding his head in his hands. "Gray, this is slightly unnecessary."

"Just slightly?" Saira chuckled.

"I don't know what the future holds for us, I don't even know if we're going to the same school," Orchid croaked, her eyes becoming prickly. When did she become so emotional? "I don't know if we get to write more exposés anymore because our time at Silverleaf Academy is up." Now the tears were definitely coming. She wiped her eyes with her sleeves, sniffling. "But I'll miss all this and—" She shook her head furiously as Stoll and Saira laughed. "Not funny," she hissed, but she found herself laughing too.

Saira smiled. "One last thing." She rummaged through her bag, bringing out a pen. She gestured to the roof's ledge. "If Silverleaf is getting torn down, people should remember us. We won't use our real names, just what we're known for. After all, it's a calculated risk, remember?" She handed a black marker to Orchid. "Send us off, Gray."

Stoll turned to Orchid, a devilish grin on his face. "You still owe me those extra ten dollars, Gray."