James wasn’t thrilled about moving, especially not just before summer vacation. At 11, leaving behind his friends was harder than he let on. His mom was excited about the bigger house and quieter neighborhood, but for James, it felt like a goodbye he wasn’t ready for.
As the car rolled into Glendale Hills, James looked out at the streets lined with tall trees and well-kept gardens. The whole neighborhood seemed picture-perfect—the kind of place where families had barbecues and neighbors waved hello. Everything was quiet, peaceful, almost too perfect for James’s taste.