“Oh yeah,” he says.
“So what is the momentum?”
“Zero?”
“Correct!” She’s a little too excited, but to be fair, she had to work way too hard for that answer.
The final bell rings and the entire class immediately starts packing up their things and talking.
“Don’t forget to write down your homework assignment. Your test is on Friday, and it’ll count for forty percent of your grade for the semester,” she says, pointing to the page numbers written on the corner of the whiteboard.
There’s a choir of groans that ensue.
“I’ve been reminding you all week, so don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she says, walking back to her desk. “I’m going to need a drink after this one.”
I stand up, but I don’t leave. I’m stuck, eyeing the file cabinet.
Mrs. Humphrey picks up the stack of papers I set on her desk. “Thank you for getting these ready. I’m sorry I didn’t have more for you to do today.”
I scratch the back of my head. “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t mind.” I preferred it that way since I don’t think Iwould’ve been able to focus on much else. I feel like I’m being pulled in a million different directions and torn apart.
“Is everything okay?” she asks.
My back stiffens. “Yeah, why?” I internally cringe at how tight my voice is.
She shrugs. “You’re just usually itching to get to practice right away.”
My eyes drift back to the file cabinet, needing to find an excuse to get her to leave but coming up dry.
“Do you not have practice today?”
I’m still standing here like a fool with nothing to say. I’m terrible at thinking on my feet, but I have to do something.
“I almost forgot to tell you, but Ms. Simon wanted to talk to you.”
Mrs. Humphrey’s mouth twists and her brows come together. “She did?”
I nod, heart speeding up as another lie leaves my mouth. “Yeah. I think it had something to do with the fundraiser at the end of the month.”
“Huh,” she says, tapping her chin. “I can’t imagine why she’d want to talk to me about that, but I’ll catch her on my way out.”
I rock on my heels and raise my shoulders. “It kind of seemed important.”
“Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to track her down now.” She stands, pushing in her chair. “I’ll walk out with you.”
Right.I have to walk out too.
I step forward, following her to the door. As soon as we step into the hallway, I say, “I better head to practice. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I hope practice goes well.” She smiles and continues down the hallway in the opposite direction.
I take a few slow steps, but as soon as she turns the corner, I quickly walk back to the classroom.
My body is on fire, electricity shooting through me as my nervous system teeters on the edge of a total meltdown. I hold my breath as I head back to the desk. Every step is a blur, and my heartbeat screams in my ears.
“Myles?”
I whip around as a shiver ripples down my spine.
