She cuts me off with a squeal as Donovan and Max step into the room. “You got your boys back!” Turning around, she hugs me some more. “I’m so happy for you.”
“It was a 66% successful mission,” I sigh. “I’ll fill you in.”
Donovan’s stomach rumbles loudly. “But first we need to eat—like stat!” he groans, turning to Alexis. “I guess we can’t just go to the cafeteria, right?”
“Not yet. We need a plan first.”
Fortunately, Willow is the best kind of friend. “Gods! Food! Of course, why didn’t I think about having supplies here waiting for you? Give me ten minutes. I’ll take Dunc. Duncan, we’re on a provisions run!”
“She's a friend of yours, Tee-Tee?” Donovan asks me.
“The best,” I nod.
“Seems like it.”
Cosmo slams himself into one of the rickety folding chairs. “Much as I am loath to spend any more time in this basement, or in this company, I agree that it’s not wise to just reappear after being absent for days. We need a story.”
“Yes, we do.” Alexis pulls out a chair for me before taking one for himself. I flop down, reveling in the familiar comfort of my damp, shabby basement.
We did it.
We found Donovan, and fingers crossed, Wes should already be here somewhere on campus. My poor Wes, he must be losing his mind with worry. I can’t imagine how shocking it was, going through the portal alone, then finding out you’d been gone for a year.
“Alright, let’s brainstorm,” Alexis says, rubbing his temples like his head hurts. “How to explain the sudden emergence of Max and Donovan, keeping in mind that we have no idea if anyone here has been affected by the dark essence?”
“I doubt anyone noticed the dud or janitor missing,” Cosmo says in his usual sneering voice.
I give him a dirty look, but actually, he’s probably not far from the truth. “But we know the school, or at least Dean Dartmouth, covered up the twins’ disappearance,” I say, trying to think through the problem. “That fucks things up.”
“Striker can back-date communication with Dartmouth, giving them all a leave of absence for a gap year,” Cosmo suggests. “And we can donate to the school fund for any inconvenience.”
“Money does usually solve every problem,” Donovan grins.
“Yeah, I’m with Dono,” Max says. “Say we took a gap year, and then drop some dough. Only, I’m broke, so you guys have to do that part.”
“So, you just roll up to the gates after your leave of absence?” Alexis asks. “That’s the plan?”
“Don’t see why not,” Max grins. “After all, it’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission beforehand. Everyone knows that’s my philosophy.”
Why am I not surprised?
17
As everyone tries to figure out if we can get away with this shit, Theo's buddies descend the staircase carrying bags and juggling drink caddies.
The smell sets off my saliva so much that it’s like my mouth is crying.
My stomach growls, and I mentally tell it to be patient a moment longer, as any second now it’s gonna get its heart’s desire.
Not that stomachs have hearts.
“What would you like?” the girl asks, plonking the bags on a dusty table. “We’ve…”
I don’t give her time to finish, just grab the first thing at hand.
Score. A Philly cheesesteak.
“Oh my fucking Gods.” I nearly orgasm from the mind-blowing flavor. For a while there, I honestly thought I’d never eat again.
