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He hadn’t wanted to come to school. But Nick had a good point: If he was already a suspect even an unofficial one not showing up for school on the same day as a fire might raise a huge red flag. He’d spent most of first period fidgeting, watching the door, absolutely certain that cops were going to come storming into the classroom any minute to arrest him.
Absolutely certain that Layne would have turned him in.
But as time went on, as students went about their business, he realized that nothing had changed.
He hadn’t seen Hunter yet, and the morning was too complicated to sum up in a text message. But when he hit the cafeteria, Calla was already sitting with Hunter.
Gabriel sighed and slung his backpack over his shoulder, heading for the gym.
The halogen lights were off, but sunlight streamed through the grated windows near the ceiling. The long stretch of beige floor was usually empty at this hour, but at the opposite end of the room, a kid was shooting free throws from the line. And from the looks of it, he was hitting every one.
Simon.
Gabriel stopped short. Would Layne have told her brother?
Was Simon waiting here to confront him, to ask what exactly had happened this morning?
But that was crazy. He’d only just made the decision to come to the gym himself. And why would Simon be shooting free throws before a confrontation? Gabriel couldn’t make it work out in his head.
Everything was making him paranoid today.
At the very least, if Simon was here, it meant Layne was okay.
He walked into Simon’s line of sight, and the boy’s expression brightened.
“Hey,” said Gabriel. He held out a fist. Simon hit it.
But then the boy quickly gestured for Gabriel’s phone.
There was a fire at the farm this morning. Layne was
there. They took her to the hospital.
It answered a lot of questions and created just as many.
Gabriel stared at the words and wondered how to play this. He looked up and didn’t have to fake concern. “Is she okay?”
Fine. Doctor says take it easy today. Precaution.
“Makes sense.”
I emailed her from computer lab. She wanted to come to
school. Dad said no.
Gabriel nodded. “Figures.”
Can you stay for the game this afternoon?
This afternoon. He’d planned on it earlier this week, because he and Layne had fallen into the routine of watching Simon’s practice. He’d just assumed they’d watch together.
“As long as I’ve got a ride, I’ll stay,” he said.
Simon’s face broke into a grin.
Gabriel gestured for the ball. “Come on,” he said. “I’ve got time. Let’s play.”
It felt good to lose himself in the sport, to have some distraction. His hand ached, but he played through it. Simon was getting good practice was clearly paying off. Gabriel used the signs Layne had taught him, but he didn’t need them much.
