I glance around at the empty snack wrappers and clothes strewn on the floor on his side of the room. Definitely a pigsty. Though he’s mostly to blame, I’m not completely innocent. There’s a small mess on my side, too, from books, socks, and electronics.
Beck gives her an innocent smile. “We’re being good boys and the room is spotless.”
“Show me.”
Beck’s smile drops. “Um, what?”
“Show me your room.”
Normally, this would embarrass any kid our age. But Beck’s known my grandma all his life and he’s used to her criticizing him.
Sighing, his shoulders droop and he sweeps the phone across the room, showing her how untidy it really is.
“Thought so,” Grandma says, clicking her tongue. “And are your grades improving?”
Now he hangs his head. “I’ll try harder,” he says in a low voice, pretending to actually care. I slug his arm.
“Dude, that hurt!”
“Want your parents to ground you again when they find out you’re just scraping by?”
He waggles his brows. “I’m not scraping by anymore. Did you see what I got on my economics quiz? A B! I called my parents yesterday and told them my grades are improving. Thanks to my awesome buddy here who’s been working day and night to help me with my homework.” He wraps his arm around me, pulls me close, and beams at my grandparents. “You raised such a gem.”
Grandma nods, like she’s satisfied with the report. “I’m glad your grades are improving, Beckham. I see that sending you to a school where you don’t have many distractions is having a positive effect on you. Hopefully you’ll keep up the good work and get into a good college.”
He snorts. “Meh. Why are we even talking about me? Did you forgetI’mnot your grandson?”
“We care about your well-being as well,” she says. “And we were worried you kids weren’t adjusting well, but we’re glad to learn you’re doing great. And I can’t wait to see you on Parents’ Day.”
We talk for a bit more, and the last thing Grandma says is to keep up the great work and that she’ll make sure we’re on top of our grades. And of course my grandparents and I tell each other how much we love each other.
“Man, she’s a tough lady,” Beck grumbles as he scoots back on his bed, hitting the wall. “I mean, she’s an awesome grandma, but man. Tough.”
“Unfortunately, your reputation precedes you,” I tell him. “If you weren’t so lazy and actually cared about schoolwork—”
“Oh, I got something for ya.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a few crumpled pieces of paper. “They were in my locker, behind some books. Forgot I stashed them there.”
I accept the papers from him and straighten them out. My chem notes. “Dude, respect my stuff or I won’t give them to you.”
“Sorry. Are you going to help me study for the test?”
“Of course I will. You don’t even have to ask.”
“Thanks, man. Really, I appreciate it. This school, man. It’s going to kill me.”
I pat his arm. “Let’s just take one test or quiz at a time. Heck, the fact that you got a B in economics is promising, isn’t it?”
He groans. “Yeah, but we stayed up forhoursstudying for it. I barely have enough time to eat or sleep.”
I chuckle. “Trust me, sleeping isn’t an issue for you.” I’ve been awake the past few nights and the guy was sleeping like a baby.
He scowls. “Fine. Hey, how did it go with Raven yesterday?”
I shrug. “Was okay, I guess. Every time we were getting, like, friendly, she pulled away. It’s like she built this fence between us.” I shake my head. “I really don’t want to talk about her. Let’s go to the music room and start practice.” Music will definitely help me feel better. “Text Leo and Jasper to meet us there.”
He shoots off the text, then grabs his drumsticks while I sling my guitar case over my back. As we make our way from our dorm toward the music room, we pass many kids milling about outside on campus, since the weather is much warmer today. My eyes stupidly roam around for Raven, but I don’t see her anywhere.
Beck watches me glancing around and gets an odd look on his face.
