“Have you met Ms. Halliway?” Principal Edwards asks Jackson.
Jackson’s staring at me, seeming confused by what I said. I didn’t know what else to do. Pretending I’m dating Shayla is better than having Principal Edwards think I’m dating Jackson.
“Hi,” I say, reaching out and shaking Jackson’s hand. “We haven’t met but I’ve seen you around. I live down the street from you. In the Halliway house.”
He nods. “I know the Halliways.”
“Mr. Novak used to attend Twisted Pine,” Principal Edwards says to me. “Until he decided he’d rather attend a different school. Call me biased, but I think he made the wrong choice. Wouldn’t you agree, Ms. Halliway?”
“Um, yeah. Twisted Pine is a great school.”
Principal Edwards puts his arm around me. “I’m glad to see you’re finally appreciating all that Twisted Pine has to offer.” He smiles at Jackson. “It took a while to convince her.”
Jackson’s jaw is tight, his eyes focused on Principal Edward’s arm, which is wrapped around my shoulder.
“Ow!” I yell, yanking away from Principal Edwards. “I think a bee just stung my arm.”
“Let me see.” Jackson steps between Principal Edwards and me, pretending to look at my arm. “I think it was just a bug. Does it itch?”
“A little, but it’s getting better.”
“I have a first aid kit in my car,” Principal Edwards says. “Come with me, Ms. Halliway.”
“No,” I rush to say. Even if I was really hurt, I wouldn’t go to his car, knowing what I know about him. “It’s better. I’m fine.”
“You said you’re waiting for a ride?” Jackson asks me.
“Yeah. She’s stuck in traffic.”
Jackson’s eyes go to Principal Edwards, who’s now looking down, checking his phone. I can tell Jackson doesn’t want to leave me alone with him, but it’ll look strange if he sits here with us.
“I’ll see where she is,” I say, getting out my phone. I text Shayla.
How much longer?
“Rumor,” Jackson says.
When I look up, I see Shayla’s car pulling into the parking lot.
Principal Edwards looks up from his phone and says to Jackson, “How did you know her name?”
“The neighbor,” Jackson blurts out. “I was out for a run and saw a girl going into the Halliway house. Their neighbor was out in his driveway, so I went over and asked who she was. He told me her name, which I thought was Rumor, but maybe I was wrong.”
“It’s Rumor,” I say. “It’s different, so kind of hard to forget.”
“Is that your friend?” Jackson asks, nodding toward the car pulling up.
“Yeah, that’s her.” I head to the car. “Bye!”
Mr. Edwards watches me get in the car. When I’m in, I shut the door and reach over the seat to hug Shayla.
“What are you doing?” she asks.
“Just go with it. Pretend we’re a couple.”
“A couple? What are you talking about?”
“Shayla, please. Just hug me back.” She does, then says, “Hey, isn’t that your principal?”
