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“Not really,” Eve murmured as she arranged the wooden skewers and paintbrushes just to the left of each paper. She felt like she was setting a table for dinner. “Just Christmas with my mom and sister.”
“Listen, Eve,” Miss Cress said, “if something is going on, you know you can talk to me.”
Eve hesitated. “I don’t know what to think anymore,” she said, trying to keep back the tears. “I don’t know if I’m making too big of a deal out of something.”
Miss Cress twisted her hair into a tight knot and using one of the paintbrushes as a hair clip, fastened it into place at the back of her head. “If you’re worried about something then you’re not making too big of a deal—sometimes saying the words out loud helps.”
“It’s a lot of things. It’s just really complicated. I think I’m in over my head,” Eve said, using Maggie’s words. “I’m not sure if I should say anything. People could get hurt.”
“Eve, but if someone is hurting you, physically or emotionally, I can help.” Miss Cress gave her a sad smile. “You deserve the best, you know.”
Eve felt her face grow hot. Miss Cress was the second person who told her this today but why did it sound so different coming from her mouth than Cam Harper’s? “It’s not like that, really. I’m fine. I’m worried about someone else. I just... I’m sorry I even mentioned it. It wasn’t anything.”
“Hey, Eve,” came a voice from the hallway and Eve stiffened. “What are you doing in here? I thought you were sick.” It was Nick. Why couldn’t he just leave her alone?
Miss Cress put a protective arm around Eve’s shoulder. “Aren’t you supposed to be in class?” she asked.
“I just wanted to make sure she was okay. Are you okay, Eve?” Nick asked gently. He was so good at making sure that adults saw this side of him. Attentive, affable.
“I’m better now,” Eve said, not quite able to meet Nick’s gaze.
“Good. I’ll walk you to class.” Nick reached for her hand. “Come on. Let’s go.” Eve took a step forward but Miss Cress stepped between the two of them.
“I asked Eve to help me out for a minute,” she said and the bell trilled, signaling that it was time to move on to the next class. “You better get going, Nick,” Miss Cress said. “You’ll be late for your next final.” With a scowl, Nick stomped down the hallway. Nick wouldn’t openly defy a teacher. He might slash her tires in the dark of night, but he wouldn’t argue with Miss Cress in public.
“You better get to your next class too,” she said to Eve. “You’re going to miss your test.”
“Can I stay here for a while?” Eve asked hopefully. “I’ll talk to my teacher. She’ll let me make up my test. I just can’t concentrate right now.”
Miss Cress hesitated but then nodded. “Do you want to tidy up the supply closet for me? I’ve been meaning to do it for ages.”
“Sure,” Eve said. “Thank you.”
Eve stepped into the dimly lit supply closet as the classroom flooded with students and their happy chatter. In a few hours it would be holiday break and they would all bolt from the school to their own homes, their own lives. Despite her trepidation about Nick and the fights with her mom and sister, an almost childlike excitement wrapped itself around her. Eve knew she wasn’t going to get much for Christmas, but she would get a book or a pair of silly socks and they would make homemade pizza for dinner. Maybe it would be a happy Christmas this year. That’s all Eve really hoped for.
Eve spent the next forty-five minutes organizing paint bottles, reams of paper and boxes filled with random art supplies. A student came to the closet. “Miss Cress was wondering if you can find another box of ink in here.”
Eve scanned the shelves for the box filled with jars of ink and found it next to bottles of paint and glue. She wrestled the box down, turned to go back into the classroom. Miss Cress was standing at her desk, phone pressed against her ear, her face tight with concern. She murmured a few words into the receiver and then hung up and her eyes landed on Eve.
“Eve,” she said, “you need to go to the office right away. It’s about your sister, but let’s plan on touching base right after school. Come back to my room after the final bell and we’ll talk for a few minutes in private, okay? We need to talk about Nick.”
Eve stepped from the supply closet and nodded but she wasn’t scared or worried. Nola must have done something to get into trouble. Maybe she exacted revenge against the kids on the bus or got kicked out of class for mouthing off to a teacher. Eve didn’t know, but whatever it was, it was usually Nola’s fault.
She handed the box of ink to Miss Cress and slunk from the room. Miss Cress followed her out to the hallway. “Do you want me to walk with you to the office?” she asked. “In case Nick shows up?”
Eve shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”
“Okay, if you’re sure.” Miss Cress looked at her face carefully for confirmation. Eve nodded. “Remember to stop back and see me later, okay?” she said with concern. “We’ll talk some more.”
Eve told her she would and moved down the hallway toward the office. Eve was in no hurry. She was always reminding herself that Nola’s emergencies weren’t her own. She knew the drill. The middle school office would try to call Eve’s mother at work with no luck. Then they would call the high school and the office would summon Eve.
Eve’s mother had no problem ignoring a call from school administration but for reasons unknown to Eve, her mother would return a call from her within five minutes. Eve figured she should have felt flattered.
Eve felt a forceful tug at her elbow and she realized her mistake. She shouldn’t have dawdled. “Hey,” Nick said, spinning Eve around to face him. “What the hell is up with you?” he asked. He was smiling but it was strained and his fingers dug into her skin. “Why are you avoiding me?”
“I’ve got to get to the office,” Eve said, wriggling out of his grip and continuing quickly down the hallway. “Something happened with my sister.”
“What? Was she like in an accident or something?” he asked. Eve was taken aback. Usually Nick couldn’t care less about Nola.
