Ella giggled stupidly. ‘It’s going to besofun.’
‘You going, Flick?’ he asked, his eyes flashing towards me.
‘She’s grounded,’ Ella replied flippantly.
‘What did you do to get grounded?’
‘I hope you’ve invited all your friends,’ Ella interrupted, before I could answer. ‘I’ve got a proper DJ and a photo booth.’
‘Sounds cool. Well, I better get going. See you around.’
Ella watched him stroll down the corridor and join his friends who were waiting for him. When he turned the corner, Ella leaned back against the locker. ‘Did you see his eyes?’ she said, still in a daze. ‘So dark and mysterious – and he has such good eyelashes. They’re so long, aren’t they?’
‘I didn’t notice.’
‘They are amazing. Are you sure he’d like the green top? Not that I care.’
‘Why don’t you ask Grace?’
‘That’s a good idea.’
She swanned off and I sighed with relief. I don’t think I could have faced the last five minutes of lunch break listening to her drone on about Oliver Dillon’s long eyelashes. I watched her pootle down to where Grace was glued to her phone – no doubt reading the latest about Skylar Chase – and then I turned to slam straight into Cal Weston.
‘Watch where you’re going!’ I snarled.
‘You walked intome,’ he huffed. I moved to step around him but he grabbed my arm.
‘Hey,’ he said, so quietly I could barely hear him, ‘how come you’re not telling anyone about your run-in with Skylar Chase?’
‘None of your business,’ I snapped. ‘Don’t say anything, OK?’
He held up his hands. ‘I wouldn’t dare.’
‘Good.’
‘I’m just surprised you’re not basking in the glory of your new-found friend.’
‘Are you this annoying with everyone or do you just save it all up for me?’
‘I like to keep the top of my game just for you.’ He grinned. ‘Does that make you feel special?’
‘Urgh, you are so weird.’ I looked around quickly to make sure no one was watching and lowered my voice. ‘Seriously, I don’t want to tell anyone about talking to Skylar. Whatever you do, don’t tell Grace Dillon.’
‘What’s wrong with Grace Dillon?’ he asked, craning over me to watch her nodding vigorously at whatever Ella was saying. ‘I thought she was all right. Well, she was, until she started tagging along with you and Her Royal Highness over there.’
‘Just don’t say anything, OK?’
‘Fine, your secret is safe with me. It just seems –’ he paused – ‘unlike you.’
‘Is that a compliment?’
‘If you want it to be.’
I rolled my eyes. ‘I can’t explain it. Skylar was . . . normal. I don’t know, it seems wrong to blurt about it to everyone. I can’t explain,’ I repeated.
Cal nodded, watching me closely. ‘No need to.’ He shrugged and then ended the conversation by sauntering off down the corridor.
I glared at his back as he walked off. I don’t know why he has to be so cryptic all the time, as though he knows something that no one else does. Whatever. I had more important things to think about than Cal Weston. Like, how I was going to escape tonight’s boring hotel chore. Please, please don’t let it be anything to do with Matthew and the hotel booking system.
