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Vivian’s gaze narrows. “What did you just call her, young man?”
“It’s fine.” I plop my butt on top of the empty desk that all of the office aides sit at and swing my feet. I’d give anything to get out of this itchy skirt and it’s only second period. The jacket is hot too. So hot, I shrug out of it, dropping it on top of the desk. “JJ and I go way back.”
JJ grins. “Yeah, we do.”
Vivian glances over at me. “How far back?”
“All the way to about an hour ago, in the auditorium. That’s his little nickname for me.” I smile sweetly, still swinging my feet, silently daring him to call me jail bait again.
Vivian watches him as if she fully expects him to say it too.
“You’re ballsier than I thought,” JJ finally says, and I swear there’s a touch of respect in his tone. “You can hold your own, Albright.”
The door suddenly swings open and Arch appears, his hair seeming to stand on end and his tie hanging crookedly from around his neck. His biceps strain against the white cotton of his button down and he stops when he sees me, his expression downright murderous.
No one says a word. Not JJ, not Vivian and not even Arch. Eventually, an exasperated breath leaves him and he tilts his head, JJ jumping to his feet, and the two of them silently flee the office, the door slamming behind them.
“Did Arch actually leave?” Headmaster Matthews calls from his office.
“Yes, sir, he certainly did, along with JJ,” Vivian says with relish. I’m sure she’d love for both of them to get in trouble.
Matthews appears in his office doorway, his expression even when he says, “It’s fine. JJ can go. He’ll only defend his best friend anyway, so it’s not like he’ll tell me anything new.”
JJ didn’t mention anything to us either, so I’m thinking Headmaster Matthews is right.
“Daisy, go follow them and grab Arch for me, will you?” Matthews smiles at me. “I need you to bring him back here.”
I gape at him, my swinging legs coming to a stop. “You want me to go get him?”
“He’ll now be helping out in the office during second period, and I’ll need you to teach him what to do.” Matthews inclines his head toward the door. “Go on.”
“But—” I pause, swallowing hard. “I’m the only office aide for second period.”
“And now we have two. Hurry and go chase him down before he disappears.” I can tell by the tone of his voice, Matthews isn’t going to back down.
I’m going to have to go find Arch and bring him back here.
With reluctant steps I exit the admin building and walk outside, wincing from the intensity of the sun and how my new loafers rub against the back of my ankles. There isn’t anyone else outside except for two tall shapes moving across the campus at a pretty good clip, headed toward the parking lot.
Arch and JJ.
I launch into a jog, wincing when my loafers pinch my feet but I push through. I’m grateful I dumped the jacket because it’s so hot outside that I can feel sweat dampening my shirt and the back of my neck.
“Hey,” I call when I draw closer to them, though my voice is weak and they don’t hear me. “Hey!”
JJ glances over his shoulder, nudging Arch in his side as he says something.
Arch doesn’t even bother turning around.
“You guys!” I pick up the pace, ignoring the way my loafers rub against the back of my ankles. “Stop!”
They actually listen to me this time and turn around, matching bored expressions on their faces as they watch me approach. I come to a stop directly in front of them, trying to hide the fact that I’m panting, but they can tell.
“Out of shape much?” JJ asks. He’s an excellent lacrosse player and probably doesn’t know what it feels like to be winded.
“I just—it’s hot.” I smile, brushing wayward strands of hair out of my eyes. I put my hair into a braid to keep it out of the way and it’s all falling out regardless. “Matthews asked that you come back to the office, Arch.”
“He did, huh?” Arch shoves his hands in his trousers, contemplating me, that bored expression still on his handsome face. With the haphazard hair and partially undone tie, he’s giving disheveled chic, and I have to admit, he looks great. Which is infuriating. “You can tell him I’m not going to be his second period office aide. He’s already got you.”
