Emma
I still can’t believe we got caught last night and had to line up in Mrs.Sinclair’s office this morning. Since then, Henry and I haven’t had a chance to talk. I’d thought we’d have time after the scolding, but Mrs.Sinclair asked him to stay behind. I can only guess at what she wanted to talk to him about.
I say goodbye to Tori, who has French now, while I head toward the science block for chemistry. I knock and open the door, but instead of Ms.Ventura, Mr.Ward is sitting behind the desk. I hesitate, but as I look around the class and see everyone who ought to be there, I pull myself together and realize he must be filling in for her.
“Sorry I’m late. I was with Mrs.Sinclair,” I mumble, setting my phone down in an empty pigeonhole.
“I suspected as much.” Mr.Ward looks down at the books he’s marking. The others are doing prep or other work.
“Ms.Ventura’s not well,” Salome whispers as I sit down.
I unpack my things. I’m longing to text Henry and ask him what Mrs.Sinclair wanted. But that’ll have to wait for the end of the period when I’ve got my phone back.
I pull out my history prep, but my attention keeps wandering. When the bell goes for break, I haven’t made much progress. I put my books away again and follow the others outside. As always, a little traffic jam builds because everyone wants to start sending snaps right away or else check to see what earth-shattering news has come in over the last hour, just as if all their friends hadn’t been phoneless for the samelength of time and thus unable to message them. But I’m no better, because my first move is to see if Henry’s texted. He hasn’t. Does that mean he’s still pissed off with me? I’m not sure if he remembers everything. After all, he was wasted. Either way, I want to talk to him, ask him what last night was all about. He wasn’t himself, evidently, but we can’t go on like this. Since Maeve died, it’s like he’s slipping further and further away from me.
“Ms.Wiley.” I jump as I hear Mr.Ward’s voice. He’s emerging from the classroom and nodding to one side with his head. I follow him. “I’ve been making appointments for the feedback sessions. Kindly come to my office next Wednesday at five.”
I relax slightly as he doesn’t broach the subject of last night. “I will.”
“Do you know where that is?” he asks.
“No.”
“Room 2350 in the old building.”
“2350?” I repeat, resisting the urge to dig out my planner and write it down.Wednesday, five o’clock. 2350. Don’t forget.
“Yes. You’ll find the self-assessment form online, on the student portal. Please fill it in and bring it with you. And be on time.”
He turns away before I can nod. I look back at my phone, then enter the appointment and room number in my calendar app. Just before I finish, a message from Henry pings in at the top of the screen.
H:Are you free?
My heart skips a beat, but then I catch sight of the clock. It’s break, after the first double period, but I’ve got PE after that, and I have to change.
E:I have to get to PE. After that?
Henry replies at once.
H:OK. I’ll come and meet you. Got a free period
And there Henry is, waiting for me. We’re on the running track, doing athletics assessments. I spot him sitting on a bench as I line up with Grace, Olive, and Salome for a sprint race, almost at the end of the session. I bend down and position my feet on the blocks.
Mr.Cormack counts us down, I make a good start. Grace is about level with me, the others are dropping back, but I hold on and cross the line first.
“Very good!” Mr.Cormack’s voice rings out across the track.
My chest is heaving, I have my hands on my sides, only letting go for a moment to high-five Grace. Her eyes meet mine, then wander over to Henry on the bench.
“Grace?” I hesitate, but I’ve been putting this off way too long already. “I wanted to thank you.”
She looks surprised. “What for?”
“For telling me. About Maeve. It was really kind of you.”
I can see that she’s fighting to keep her smile relaxed and not to look hurt. “There’s no need for thanks.”
“Yes, there is,” I say. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come between you.”
