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“I was.” I shrug one shoulder. “Then, I thought of my poor bestie who had to get up at six to make it to work on time. And how you’re having to function on hardly any sleep.” I contort my face into a dramatic frown. “So I brought sustenance.”
His eyes drop to the containers in my hands.
“Coffee and pancakes.” I bounce my brows twice and push myself one more step into the room. Except that Owen isn’t really moving out of my way. “Can I come in?”
He hisses.
“O?”
His cheeks puff out like helium-filled balloons before he pushes out all that hot air. “Ah. Sure. I’m just—” He lifts one shoulder. “Teaching.”
“I know. I won’t stay long.” I bounce my brows once. “I wanna see you in action.”
His forehead wrinkles, but this time when I move forward, Owen steps to the side, allowing me into this room full of hormones and tweens.
The girl from before has her hand high in the air—the same girl who pointed me out to Owen.
Owen doesn’t call on her. He leads me to his desk, takes the food from my hands, and directs me to his desk chair—the same one that almost killed him a few weeks ago. “This class will be out in twenty minutes, then I have a break.”
“Sure.” I nod. A twinge of stirring swirls inside of me at seeing this side of Owen.
“Mr. Bailey,” the girl with her hand still in the air says. Everyone else is still. Like we might be hanging out in a graveyard. I’m pretty sure middle schoolers are not supposed to behave this way. “Mr. Bailey,” the girl says again.
“Yes. Rylee. Do you have a question about the solar system?”
“Isn’t that Annie Archer from Ask Annie?”
Owen’s hands grip at his waist, reminding me of Superman. “I’m pretty sure Miss Archer isn’t a part of the solar system.”
“No, but—” she says, her hand still waving. “But it is her, right?”
“You mean,” a boy next to Rylee says, “the lady who is writing about Mr. Bailey’s love life?” This kid doesn’t even think about raising his hand.
“Yes,” the girl grumps in a whisper, her hand still in the air.
“Yes, Rylee, it’s her. You can put your hand down. She’ll be visiting until the end of the period. That doesn’t mean anyone is getting out of their chapter summary assignment.”
But Rylee doesn’t put her hand down.
Owen grins, and while a touch forced, it’s still got that Owen charm. “Yes, Rylee?”
“I’m raising my hand for Miss Archer. My question is for her.”
I can’t be sure, but I think Owen’s nose twitches. Is that a thing? Why does one’s nose twitch anyway? With his lips pressed into a tight line, he steps back, peering over his shoulder at me.
“Oh, um, sure. It’s okay.” I look at Rylee. Should I point? Do I need to use her name? She’s the only one with her hand raised; she should know I’m talking to her, right? There’s a reason I left middle school and never went back.
“You’re setting Mr. Bailey up on dates, right?”
I clear my throat. “Ah, yep. That’s right.”
“Well,” she says, that relentless hand still in the air. Isn’t she tired? There can’t be any blood left in those fingers. “Why don’t you just date him?”
I chuckle. Is this Kayla’s doing? Did she know I was coming here? Did she call this girl and set this up? I wouldn’t put it past her. “Well, Rylee, is it?” I know her name. I’m buying time.
“Yes,” she says, and when I get to my feet, her hand comes down.
“Well, Rylee. I’m testing my own advice. I’m helping Owen but also experimenting. You know?”
