I shriek, jumping back, but lose my footing and land on the floor.
Emma scurries out of my closet. She flies forward, practically on top of me until she’s covering my mouth. “Be quiet.”
I’m in too much shock to move. What is Emma doing in my room? Isn’t this too much? Hasn’t she crossed the line?
Adrenaline pumps through me and I can’t help but think about what Mallory said. Is this really all because Emma misses me? There’s no way that’s what she wants. I tried for so long to get her attention, and every time she rudely forced me away.
I find myself soaking in Emma’s overly dramatic expressions, and my skin burns where she touches me.
“I know what you did,” she says.
My eyes widen, and my heart turns to stone all over again. I don’t know what she wants, but it isn’t me.
I try to pull her hand off my mouth and manage to mumble, “What are—”
“Myles?” My mom calls from the hallway. “Are you okay?”
Emma comes closer and whispers into my ear. “If you let her find me in here, I’ll tell her you stole that test from Mrs. Humphrey’s room.”
Goosebumps ripple up my arms. How did she find out? I mean, she had to find out through Mallory, but why would Mallory tell her? There’s no way she’d admit to cheating.
“Got it?”
I nod. I don’t have time to think. All I know is my mom can’t find out about what I did.
She slowly moves her hand, staring at me intently.
“I’m okay,” I yell.
But Mom’s footsteps continue coming closer.
“Do something,” Emma says.
Emma is still over me, and my head is ready to explode. What does she expect me to do? She’s the one who broke into my house and jumped me.
“Like what?”
She stands, aiming for the closet again, but the second the door starts to open she ducks behind the bed instead. She pulls her legs to her chest and lowers her head, trying to make herself as small as possible, but she’s still there, clear as day.
Without thinking, I rip my shirt off and chuck it toward her. It lands on top of her head, and while it doesn’t cover her completely, it’s better than nothing.
I hop up, using the bed to balance me.
“Myles, what happened?” Mom says, but covers her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were changing.”
“Everything’s fine. Just getting ready for bed,” I say.
“I thought you were going to do your homework.”
I fake yawn. “I was but I’m exhausted.”
“Well, if you need anything, let me know,” she says, stepping back out. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
The door closes and Emma pulls my shirt off her, holding it between two fingers. “Was stripping really necessary?”
“It worked, didn’t it?”
