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The library had never been so flipping terrifying. Usually, with its quiet corners, the unmistakable perfume of old books, and soft carpet, it was a haven to a book worm like me.
But not today.
Today, it was a battlefield, featuring a long rectangular table with thick black linens and a pleated table skirt. Three chairs sat on one side of it, facing both me and the library desk where my poster board had been carefully displayed. Mandy and Audrey’s encouraging words ran through my head: I was Wonder Woman, facing down my foes. I had the lasso of truth and awesome super powers at my side. No one could defeat me, especially three teachers from dinky Rock Valley High. I was going to crush this presentation — at least, according to my friends currently occupying the handful of chairs to the side and throwing me dorky thumbs-up signs.
Pretty sure Wonder Woman didn’t feel like puking before she took down the bad guys.
“Two minutes until show-time, people,” Mr. Arnold called.
I fidgeted in my too-tight heels and shuffled through the notecards in my hands. My panel of judges had just arrived. Mr. Arnold, as our class supervisor, was obviously on deck. Next to him stood a tall woman with broad shoulders and a short, blonde hairstyle. That had to be Professor Garret from the local community college. She was the one who ran our online class and lectures.
And finally, I’d asked Mrs. Drew to be my third judge. Art and Research Methods might have seemed like worlds apart, but over the last few weeks I’d learned that there were a lot of similarities. There was an integrity in art and science that couldn’t be replaced. And they both could be so methodical. Mrs. Drew beamed at me as she came waltzing into the library in her black jumper suit and matching booties. I waved at her and then quickly went back to pretend-studying my notes.
The only person missing was Mason. The cards in my hands trembled as I thought about coming face-to-face with him once again. Would things be different now that I’d finally named these feelings I had for him? Now that I knew we would never be together?
No, I wouldn’t let them. I’d get through this presentation, just like I’d get through the heartache ahead of me. Chin up and jaw set. Eyes forward, tears dried.
Mandy had coached me for an hour last night after we finalized my outfit. If I was going to get through this, I needed to borrow her take-no-prisoners attitude. I could do this.
“Is this the right room?”
“Definitely. There’s Trina, now.”
I blinked up in confusion as my parents walked into the room, all proud smiles and waves. Why were they here? Panic shot through me like a crack spiderwebbing across a panel of glass. As if this wasn’t hard enough, now I had to keep it together for them, too?
This was beginning to feel like a bad sitcom. Who next? How about my Nanna Laurie, or the mailman, or my kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Wetzel? I was honestly surprised my parents had been able to get time out of their busy day to show up.
“Hi, guys.” My greeting came out all airy and breathless. “What are you doing here?”
“Don’t worry about us, bug,” Dad said, rushing forward to give me a hug and quick peck on the cheek. “We’re going to sit in the back. You won’t even know we’re here.”
“We just had to see you nail this presentation.” Mom grinned and clenched her fist for emphasis. “Before you know it, you’ll be doing this at Northwestern. We couldn’t be prouder of you.”
No pressure at all. “Thanks, guys.”
“Forwarding the field of science is one of the noblest undertakings a person can take,” Dad said with a solemn nod. You would’ve thought he was sending me off to Mars on a spaceship, he looked so serious. “Science not only necessitates guts and brains, it requires a depth of character and ethics that few possess. You, my daughter, have just that.”
I laughed nervously and then chewed on my bottom lip until it hurt. Character and ethics. Those were two words that carried a lot of weight. We’d studied ethics in Research Methods. I’d always prided myself on following the rules. That was me. Trina never-broken-a-rule-in-her-life Frye.
Until now.
My throat thickened as I thought about how much things had changed. I’d broken the biggest rule of all when it came to Mason. I’d fallen for my research subject. If Mom and Dad knew, they wouldn’t be praising me like this. I didn’t deserve it. And hiding it from them felt like yet another ugly lie. I couldn’t keep this up. They had to know the truth.
“Wait, you guys. You don’t understand—”
“You’re going to do great, darling.” Mom hugged me and then quickly let go. “Don’t overthink it. Just do your best and then we’ll take you out to eat tonight as a celebration. Anywhere you want to go.”
I tried to protest, but she moved swiftly away to take the seat next to Audrey and Mandy. Dad gave me a wink and then sat on Mom’s other side. I was left standing in the middle of the room with my mouth hanging open and an uneasy feeling in my stomach.
That feeling was only made worse two seconds later by the sudden appearance of Mason when he strolled into the room with a basketball in his hands, looking as cool and calm as I’d ever seen him. I thought I’d be able to keep it together, but my heart stuttered and my knees threatened to give out at the very sight of him.
He wore a pair of dark gray dress pants and a vivid blue dress shirt that made his eyes pop. His hair was perfectly tousled, his face freshly shaven, and his shoes shiny. There was the frown that I’d grown used to — and preferred, now.
A shiver ran through me as his gaze flicked over to meet mine. There were dark clouds in his eyes, tumbling together like the beginning of a storm. My breathing grew shallow, my hands clammy.
I wanted to say something — anything — but my tongue wouldn’t work. Mason always seemed to have that effect on me. Instead, I stared at him like the world’s biggest doofus. With a slight nod of his head, he broke away his gaze and watched the floor until he took the last empty chair in the back.
There was the man I’d fallen for.
