Everyone—Levi included—clapped twice.
“Good job, scientists,” she told them. “But it is time to head to music! You can leave your rainbows where they are and let them continue to grow. After music, we’ll talk about weather and storms and how—even though storms can sometimessoundscary—when they’re done, we get to see the amazing effects of refraction, reflection, and dispersion. Or…what I like to call a rainbow!”
The class cheered and clapped as they stood, pushed in their chairs, stormed toward the door, and filed into one very impressive line.
Levi climbed to his feet, and Haddie caught him wincing as he put weight on his left. Did he hurt his knee? Was he not supposed to kneel?
“Do you have a second?” she asked, bruising past him as she followed the kids to the door. “I just need to walk them to the music room, and then I’ll be right back!” she called over her shoulder. Then she stepped past her students and out into the hallway, holding a finger to her lips as a silent reminder to…well…stay silent in the halls.
In unison, each student mimed zipping their lips and tossing away the key. And while some of them gigglednotsilently as they filed through the door, Haddie couldn’t help but feel proud of how her students behaved with their unexpected visitor. She was also a little proud of herself, having already fallen into a groove with new students in a new school in an equally new town. Things were…good, and Haddie couldn’t help smiling as she led her students the rest of the way down the hall and to the music room.
Levi was facing the windows, inspecting the All About Meposters when Haddie quietly strode up behind him.
“It takes a lot to earn a spot on a poster like that,” she said softly over his shoulder.
Levi nodded, his eyes landing on what they both knew was the poster in question.
“Does anyone ever add to their posters at a later date?” he inquired.
Haddie hummed her contemplation. “I haven’t seen it happen yet, but it only takes one to set a precedent.”
They were both quiet for several seconds before Haddie spoke again.
“I was mad at you when I made that poster,” she admitted.
The corner of Levi’s mouth twitched. “I know.”
“And I barely knew you back then.” She let out a nervous laugh. “We barely know each other now,” she added.
Levi nodded. And then finally, he turned around.
“Aren’t you wondering?” he asked.
Haddie’s brows furrowed. “Wondering what?” she asked.
“How long it will take to earn the coveted spot of being one ofmyfavorite people.” He flashed her a sly grin and then brushed past her as he pivoted and backed toward the door.
“I’m already one of your favorite people, aren’t I?” she asked, crossing her arms and feigning a confidence she hoped he believed.
“Definitely too soon to tell,” he deadpanned. “Oh, we do have a color printer across campus, and I’ve got an Uncrustable with my name on it waiting for me at my desk, so I better head out.”
Haddie shook her head and laughed. “That is a child’s lunch.”
Levi shrugged. “Doesn’t make it any less delicious.” He paused in the doorway. “Thanks for letting me watch you in action. That rainbow activity is definitely a favorite.”
Haddie rolled her eyes. “And I am…?” she drawled.
“A great roommate.” He tapped the doorframe twice and then shoved his hands in his pockets. “I look forward to your email and attachment, Roomie.”
“Guess I walked right into that one.” Haddie laughed. “Goodbye,Roomie!”
He spun on his heel and headed back toward the library and the hallway Haddie knew led to the secondary campus.
I’m already one of your favorite people, aren’t I?
She was already wading into dangerous waters by asking the question, even in jest. But that wasn’t the worst of it. The worst of it was that she so very much wanted it to be true, which meant she might have already plunged into the deep, and the question was, would she sink or swim?
Chapter 15
