Page 57 of Fall Fake-Out

I pull out my phone.

Wade

Lunch duty today. Cafeteria. Noon.

You should come sit with me in a very public and convincing way.

She answers almost immediately.

Ari

You realize helping me create moments in front of Ashtyn will make you lose our bet spectacularly, right?

I grin as I type.

Wade

I’m not worried about it.

Her response takes longer this time. Probably because she’s trying to think of something devastating to say.

Ari

You should be, based on how my mother treated you after church yesterday. This fake-dating competition is shaping up to be a slam dunk for me.

Barb Langford did snub me after church yesterday, but it was worth it, especially because every time Ari laughed in church, she leaned into me a little more without even realizing it. It wasn’t on purpose. It wasn’t for the fake-dating bet. It was because she wanted to. That feels big. But it also feels like something I shouldn’t like as much as I did.

Wade

Don’t get cocky. We’ve yet to see you in action, and honestly, my expectations for your fake-girlfriend performance are pretty low.

Ari

We’ll see.

Competitive Ari has officially entered the arena.

And I’m here for it.

There’s a light tap on my door. I look up from my phone to see Mrs. Baker standing in the doorway to my office. “Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.” I put my phone down and stand, gesturing for her to take a seat. “Come in.”

“This is silly,” she says as she shuffles to the seat in front of my desk. “Especially since I’ve been teaching for so many years.”

“There’s nothing you could say that I would consider silly. I’m here to help.”

“That’s what I was hoping to get. A little help or advice.” Her lips lift a little. “I’ve just noticed how much the students love you, and it’s not because you’re young and cool. They really respect and revere you. I see how they let you into their lives. It’s incredible.”

For one split second, Mr. Jex and my dad and all the other people who believe I can’t do this job disappear, and I sit in the kind words Mrs. Baker just said about me. It’s probably one of the best professional compliments I’ve ever received.

Mrs. Baker sighs as she continues. “I’ve never been able to build a relationship with students the way you do. I was hoping you could give me some tips and tricks, places to start.”

“Thanks for saying all that.” I smile. “I’d love to help you and pass along any advice I have. For starters, students need to know you care, and the fact that you came to me shows me that you already do care.”

Mrs. Baker nods as I sit back into my chair, telling her all the things I do to try to make a difference in these teenagers’ lives.

Ari