Page 62 of Black Hollow: Awakening

“No,” Blake cut him off. “I’m doing the project.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ll do it. Alone.”

“Why won’t you work with me?”

“It’s not about you. When it comes to things like this, I don’t work with anyone. I’ll just do it better, faster, and neither of us will have to suffer through the other’s company.”

Alden started walking away. Will immediately fell into step beside him.

“I want to be a part of it.”

“A part of what?”

“The project. I want to do it with you.”

Blake stopped and looked at him like he’d lost his mind.

“Didn’t you hear what I said?”

“I heard, and I disagree.”

“You don’t get a say.”

“I think I do, because if you don’t let me work on it, I’ll go to Lorne and tell him you decided to do it all yourself and won’t even let me near the project,” Will threatened.

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Blake scoffed. “You can sit on your ass and get a top grade, but instead of accepting that, you’d rather insist for no reason?”

“Not for no reason. I want to make sure it turns out right.”

“It will turn out perfectly. If I’m the one doing it. If you start meddling, mistakes are sure to creep in.”

“Tough luck.” Will shrugged. “I still want to do it.”

“Why are you being so irrational?” Blake snapped at him.

“Oh, I’m the irrational one?” Will asked mockingly. “Okay.”

“It’ll be easier this way. Otherwise, we’d have to coordinate our time and a place to meet.”

“Not a problem. As you know, I live alone now, and you know the address, so come by after school.”

“I’m busy.”

“We have until mid-February. You’ll surely find some free time. You found time yesterday,” Will reminded him maliciously. “Unless you’d rather we meet at your place.”

“No!” Alden’s reaction was surprisingly sharp. “Never come to my house, you understand?”

“Uh… Sure,” Will replied, slightly thrown off by his vehemence. “So my place it is. Just give me a heads-up before you come. I’ll give you my number.”

Blake held out his hand.

“What?” Will muttered.

“Your phone.”

“I said I’d give you my number.”