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I give him a quick, jerky nod. “Bye, Caleb.”
It seems like something shifts in his expression, but he turns and heads in the opposite direction before I have enough time to study it.
“I didn’t think you and Caleb got along,” Will remarks, studying Caleb’s retreating back with a look of confusion.
“We don’t. I have to write an article on him for the paper.”
“Oh,” Will says. After a moment he adds, “I didn’t know you covered sports.”
“I don’t,” I state, with a fair bit of irritation in my voice.
“Okay…” Will replies, obviously looking for more of an explanation.
“It’s a long story,” I tell him. That I could have just ended and didn’t for a reason that eludes me.
“Your article isn’t due tomorrow, is it?”
“No. Why?” I ask.
“Marcus is having a party tonight to celebrate our win yesterday. I was hoping you might want to go, since you were one of the few people who bothered to actually come to the game.”
“Oh.” I start to form a refusal automatically, but then stop to reconsider. Maybe Cassie’s right. What could the harm be? “Yeah, sure,” I say instead. “Is it okay if I bring Cassie?”
“Of course. Do you want me to pick you up or meet you there?”
“We’ll meet you there. I know where Marcus lives.”
“Cool. See you then,” Will says, before continuing down the hallway.
I start in the opposite direction, quickening my pace when the warning bell echoes around me. Thankfully, my homeroom is a quick trip down the hall and to the right. I drop into my usual seat next to Cassie just as the final bell rings.
The morning announcements boom overhead, but I don’t listen to what is being said. I lean over as far as the small desk will allow.
“I need you to go to a party with me tonight,” I whisper to Cassie.
She turns to me, her brown eyes full of surprise. “What?”
“I saw Will on my way here. He invited me to a party tonight, and I need you to go with me. Please.”
“Of course I’ll go with you. We can—” The announcements end and attendance starts. “We’ll talk at lunch,” Cassie says, then leans back in her chair.
* * *
The rest of the day passes quickly. Mr. Tanner’s class is a lecture on literary devices for our upcoming papers, but we don’t separate into partners. I caught Caleb’s eye when I dropped our outline on Mr. Tanner’s desk, and he gave me a nod. That was it.
I head home straight after school ends, glad the paper doesn’t have a meeting today. I shirked on chores this morning since it was so outrageously early, and I rushed to ensure I’d beat Caleb to the field.
A wasted effort, in retrospect.
At lunch, Cassie made me promise I would come over after dinner to “prepare for the party.” I have no idea what that means. The last party I attended was a birthday party in middle school that definitely didn’t require two hours of preparation. Cassie insisted a couple of hours were necessary, though, and she was so enthused I couldn’t bring myself to tell her no.
I also have a feeling this will be my first and final high school party.
Might as well make the most of it.
Despite the chill in the January air, Gramps is sitting out on the front porch in one of the ancient rocking chairs when I get home. He looks up from the magazine he’s reading when the creaky steps announce my arrival.
“How was school, Lennie?” he asks, taking a sip from the mug set beside him.
