Chapter 97
“What are you doing here?” I asked as he sat down.
“Nice to see you, too.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I said, wondering if my tone had been harsh. “It’s just… Mrs. Neely has a class right now, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah, but they’re good. They’re reading chapter twenty-seven and answering the questions at the end like good little robots.”
“Ugh. Glad you didn’t make us do that,” Lucy said, pushing her tray aside.
“Something tells me we’ll have to do it tomorrow,” I replied. “Class was fun.”
“Yeah, sure was,” he agreed. “What time’s the game tonight?”
“Seven thirty,” Lucy answered before I could get it out. “You comin’?”
“Of course,” Elliott replied. “Drove all the way from Kansas City just to see it.”
I know my entire face was a question mark. “You came up here just to watch a JV basketball game?”
“Nah, I came here to watch my two favorite cheerleaders,” he replied, making Lucy giggle. “I don’t even know who we’re playing.”
“The Cougars,” Lucy replied, making a face. “They’re legit two feet taller than us and built like farmers.”
“Mostly because they are farmers,” I noted.
“So are we,” Emma chimed in, shrugging.
“You going?” Elliott asked her.
“I don’t know.” Emma took a deep breath. “I have already attended two games, which is my quota for the months of January and February.”
“Emma hates crowds, or people in general,” Lucy explained, “but she wants to be a good friend. So, we decided that if she came to one game per month, that would be sufficient support.”
Elliott nodded. “Man, I was hoping you’d be there. I need someone to sit with.”
Emma looked around the cafeteria. “I believe there are plenty of other students who would be happy to sit with you, Dr. Sanderson. Or you could sit with Mr. and Mrs. Findley, or Mr. and Mrs. Burk.”
“Yeah, but none of those people are as cool as you.”
He had her blushing then, and I was in awe. I’ve seen her turn red before, out of frustration or anxiety, but rarely for the reason she was a light shade of maroon at the moment. “Well, I guess I could come.”
“Awesome!” Elliott exclaimed. “All right, I should probably get back to class, though I’m pretty sure no one’s left their seat since I told them I’d be right back.” He winked at me, and I realized that meant he’d brainwashed them into not getting up. I hoped no one had to pee or vomit. “Need a ride home, kid?”
“Uh, yeah,” I replied.
“I didn’t bring Aaron’s hotrod today, so it’ll have to be in the Buick.”
I was minimally disappointed, but I nodded. “That’s okay.” I’d still get to ride home with the coolest teacher ever.
“Alrighty. See you after school.”
“I’m so jealous,” Lucy said as soon as Elliott was gone. “He’s like… a cool big brother who just swoops in and makes you feel all tingly inside, you know?”
“I do,” I agreed. “He’s awesome.”
“I like him,” Emma concurred, wadding up her trash and putting it all inside of her empty sandwich bag, like she did every day.
“And that’s saying a lot,” Lucy replied. “You really coming tonight?”
“Why not?” Emma shrugged. “I’m sure sitting with Dr. Sanderson will be fun.”
“Just remember he doesn’t know that you know anything,” I whispered at her.
“Cassidy, do you honestly think I could forget that?” she asked, her face all serious again. “I practically have an eidetic memory.”
“My mistake,” I replied, trying not to roll my eyes. It would do no good to remind her that he was tricky and might be trying to take advantage of her to get information. I gathered up my trash and headed toward the receptacle. I thought Lucy was right behind me, but when I turned around, it was Liam trailing me. Lucy was still over by our table, glaring in our general direction.
“Hey, Cass,” Liam said as we both dumped our trays. “You talkin’ to Dr. Sanderson?”
“Yeah. We’re… friends. I mean… he’s a family friend.” There was no way I could explain more.
“Cool. He comin’ to the game tonight?”
“As far as I know.” I smiled at him, wondering if there was something legitimately cool I could say that could blow his mind, but I couldn’t think of a single word.
“Awesome,” he said. “See ya.” He gave me a sort of half smile and headed back off toward the table where he’d been sitting. I stared after him until I realized I was blocking the trash can and other students were waiting to use it, and then I headed back to my girls.
“Barf,” Lucy said, passing me on her way to the trash can.
I picked up my stuff and watched Emma shove the last bite of Zebra Cake into her mouth. “I don’t get it,” I said, shaking my head. Why did Lucy hate him so much?
Emma’s mouth was full, but she covered it with her hand and said, “She just doesn’t like him.”
“I know, but why?”
“He’s a jerk.” She gathered up her trash and slung her backpack over her shoulders, a sign she wasn’t coming back to the table.
“No, he’s not. He’s really nice. And funny. And cute.”
“He’s a jerk.” It was Lucy, not Emma, and I turned to see her stomp around me to get her stuff. “You just haven’t figured it out yet. Unfortunately, you will.”
“Why do you think that?” I asked.
“I’ve gotta go,” Emma said. “See you guys later.”
I waved goodbye to her and turned to see Lucy was halfway to the hall now. I hurried to catch up to her. “Why do you think that?” I asked again.
Lucy let out a loud huff. “I just think… I don’t know. I’ve heard things.”
“Like what?”
“I really don’t want to get into it.”
Frustrated, I took a deep breath myself. “Fine,” I spat. “See ya.”
Lucy stopped, and I could feel her eyes penetrating into my back, but I didn’t turn to look at her. The bell rang, and I hurried to my next class, hopeful that we’d both calm down by the next time we saw each other. She needed to tell me what Liam had done to make her think he was so awful. Otherwise, I was going to end up angry at her, and I didn’t want that either. Until she could legitimately tell me otherwise, however, Liam White would still be the hottest guy at SHS in my book.
