“I don’tonlyassociate with geniuses.”
“Name one friend who isn’t on the honor roll,” Cass said.
I frowned, thinking. “Hana.”
“You don’t even like Hana,” Aimee said.
“Yeah, well, considering we go to an academic-focused school, and I met most of my friends in my advanced classes, it’s kind of unavoidable that they’re on the honor roll, don’t you think? I don’t even have a lot of friends at all—just you two.” I’d met most of my friends through Devin. “Anyway, at least it mentions I met LostAxis gaming.”
My phone buzzed with a text.
Hana:You’ve been holding out on me. Is this the guy you’ve been gaming with all summer?
This was the first time I’d heard from her since the picture of her and Devin showed up on Whispers. Did Hana think we were still...friends? But Hana kneweveryone. If I could get Hana talking about me and my new guy, then everyone would be talking about it. Even people who didn’t follow Earl’s Whispers.
Me:Yeah that’s him. We have so much in common. He took the Math Olympic test last year, too.
Hana:Love it. You’re made for each other. We should double-date.
I rolled my eyes. “Look, Hana wants to double-date.”
Cass huffed a laugh. “Yeah, when pigs learn to skateboard, maybe.”
I laughed. “I’m sure there is a skateboarding pig somewhere.” I thought about it. “LostAxis would know.”
“At least we know the picture is working, though,” Aimee said. She paused, thinking. “Here, Samaya, give me your phone.” She put her hand out.
Shrugging, I handed Aimee my phone. I was sitting next to her, so I’d be able to stop her from doing something I didn’t want her to do with it. But all she did was set the picture of me and LostAxis snuggling up together as my phone home screen. She handed me the phone back. “There. Your relationship is now official.”
When we got to school, Devin was on the steps to the front door talking to Jayden. I tried to quickly turn, figuring I’d go in the back door of the school, when he called out to me. “Samaya. Wait.”
“What,” I said when he reached us.
“Can we talk?” His expression was ... strange. He glanced awkwardly at Cass and Aimee, clearly hoping they’d make themselves scarce.
“Sure,” I said. “Cass and Aimee are staying, though.”
He frowned.
“Or you don’t talk,” Cass said. “Your call.”
Devin’s brow wrinkled. “I’m not going to throw her over the bluffs or anything.”
Cass narrowed their eyes menacingly. “I’m more worried she’s going to throwyouover.”
I crossed my arms. “Go ahead, Devin. Talk.”
He sighed, running his hand through his hair. “What’s with the picture with that guy?”
I could see the vein in his forehead. I decided to try for coy. “What picture?”
“You’re going to have to be more specific,” Cass said.
“You know what picture. Why did you post that?”
“I didn’t,” I said. “Earl’s Whispers did.”
“Who is he?”
