Zach’s gaze is on the floor, but Trevor is soaking in all the attention, and he rests an arm around Zach’s shoulders, a broad grin taking over his face.
His smile wilts when he reaches us. “What happened to you?” he asks as soon as he sees Salma’s arm.
“Sprain,” she says without even looking up at him from her tofu salad.
“Got a Sharpie so we can sign?” he asks.
“Nope.” She still doesn’t look up, and Trevor’s gaze slides to me as if I might be able to explain her newfound coldness toward him.
Welcome to the club.
“Hey,” says Zach to Tiffany. “You were pretty quiet over break.”
“Sorry,” she says, not bothering to look up, either. “Figured you’d be busy writing a follow-up piece.”
Follow-up piece?
Trevor claps Zach on the back. “Our boy is going to be a famous reporter!”
Zach shakes off Trevor’s hand. “I’m not,” he says, his gaze flicking to Tiffany. But she’s still staring down at the bowl of cheesy bow tie pasta she’s devouring.
Guess she’s no longer trying to be vegan like Salma.
“The pictures were cool,” Salma says to Zach, casting an apologetic glance at Tiffany. “You definitely got everyone talking about Huntington.”
“Just imagine how people will react when you break the story on the LUB,” says Trevor. “You better interview us for that piece.”
“Tiffanywill break that one,” says Zach, earning her attention. “I’m going to handle the photography and editing.”
“Zach.”
A student with a crest of blue hair approaches. Fran extends a hand to him and says, “Congratulations, ace.”
“Thanks,” he says.
“Your story got picked up by other outlets, and they’re all going to say: ‘Originally printed inThe Hunter.’ You put our paper on the map! Mrs. Sullivan and I are compiling a full list of journalism awards, and we’ll be submitting the issue with your piece.”
“I want some dessert,” says Tiffany, her pasta bowl still half full.
Salma stands up with her in solidarity. But first she says to Fran, “Your article inThe Huntersaid workers were going to try setting up Wi-Fi over break, but I’m still not seeing any networks.”
Fran gives a small shake of their head that comes off as resignation. “I asked Minaro, and she said they told her the problem is bigger than they realized. They might not get it resolved at all this school year. What happened to your arm?”
I look at the staff table while Salma answers, and the director faces her neighbor, like they’re both deep in conversation. But I get the distinct impression she was looking at us just a moment ago. Only it’s impossible for her to hear us from that far away, unless—
No.
If she was a vampire, William would have known.
“So, the LUB tonight?” asks Trevor when we’ve all finished eating. As usual, his eyes are on Salma, as if her answer were the only one that mattered.
“Not for me,” she says. “I still have to finish thePride and Prejudiceessay due tomorrow. Let’s get going.”
She looks at Tiffany when she says this, but the rest of us stand up, too. Trevor takes off with a scowl, not even waiting for Zach. I’m trailing behind Tiffany and Salma when I feel a hand close around mine.
Zach tugs me away from the others, and my roommates don’t notice as the two of us slip into the classroom where we spoke in private last time.
“Hey,” he says, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I was, um, wondering if you’ve heard from William at all?”
