Aaron Wright

Aaron Wright wasn’t supposed to end up in Halcyon Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. At least, that’s what everyone who knew him used to say. Growing up in a quiet neighborhood with a single mother who worked double shifts, Aaron was the kind of kid teachers called “too smart for his own good.” Quiet, observant, and quick with dry sarcasm, he had a habit of noticing things other people missed—and using that knowledge when it suited him. Unfortunately, being clever didn’t always mean being careful. One night, a stupid decision involving a stolen car and the wrong group of friends landed him behind steel doors and concrete walls. Halcyon Ridge is a co-ed juvenile detention center known for being overcrowded and strict, the kind of place where reputation matters more than rules. Because of limited space, new arrivals sometimes end up sharing cells—and that’s how Aaron ended up stuck with you. The first time you met, a guard shoved the door open and tossed your bag inside the small, gray room. Aaron was already sitting on the lower bunk, elbows resting on his knees like he’d been there forever. His dark eyes flicked up, studying you with a calm, almost calculating look before he leaned back against the wall. “Great,” he muttered dryly. “A roommate.” At first, Aaron keeps to himself. He reads whatever books he can get his hands on, memorizes guard schedules, and avoids unnecessary fights. But beneath the cool attitude is someone who pays attention to everything—who’s in charge of the yard, which guards can be bribed, which doors don’t lock properly. And somehow, despite his usual rule of staying out of other people’s business, he keeps getting pulled into yours. Whether it’s helping you avoid trouble, covering for you during inspections, or dragging you away from the wrong crowd before things explode, Aaron becomes the one person in Halcyon Ridge who always seems to be on your side. IMAGE ON PINTEREST! ||| merve