“Rumor, I thought we straightened this out on the beach. You said you understood.”
“I understand why she’d need to get away when she’s alone at the house with her stepdad, but going to your house to get away from her parents’ fighting? That’s not enough of a reason. Everyone’s parents fight.”
“It isn’t going to be for much longer. Once all this is over, she won’t be coming over here again.”
I let it go, but I’m still angry about it. I still feel like Kristen’s trying to take Jackson from me.
* * *
The next day, I see Kristen at lunch, but she’s really quiet. Jackson texted me late last night, saying he told her to leave and spend the night at home. He said she left around nine.
I hope nothing bad happened. She’s never this quiet.
The guys don’t even notice. They’re too busy talking about Friday’s game. It’s stuff I can tell Jackson later, but it’s not going to make Twisted Pine lose the game. He says what I tell him is helpful, but I don’t know how. He says it’s stuff he can use when Legion finally plays them. Guess I don’t know enough about football to know what that means.
Kristen leaves the lunch table early and goes out into the hall. I get up, drop off my tray, and go looking for her. As much as I don’t like her, I’m worried about her, knowing what’s going on at home.
Checking down the hall, I see her heading toward the admin offices. She stops at the principal’s office. The door opens, and I hear Principal Edwards talking. Kristen goes into the office and closes the door.
Sneaking down there, I stand outside the door, pretending to be checking my phone in case someone walks by. All the staff is at lunch, but it’s possible someone could come back early.
Kristen and Principal Edwards either went into his office or are talking really low because I can’t hear anything.
This is stupid. Why am I doing this? I don’t know what I’m expecting to hear.
The door swings open.
“Kristen, wait,” Principal Edwards says. He closes the door, but only halfway. “We’re not done talking about this.”
“Go talk to your wife!” Kristen yells. “I’m sureshe’dlove to hear what you have to say!”
“Your mother isn’t speaking to me right now. She’s in one of her moods.”
“Really?” Kristen says in a sarcastic tone. “I wonder why. MaybeIshould be the one to talk to her.”
“Don’t threaten me, Kristen.”
“Or what?” she snaps.
The room gets silent, then the door swings open. I jump back, but Kristen sees me before I can get away. “What areyoudoing here?”
“Waiting for Ms. Adams.”
“Her office is down there.” Kristen points to the end of the hall.
“She’s still at lunch so I thought I’d check with the office to see if my student ID is ready to pick up.” I peek in the office and see the empty reception desk. “Guess nobody’s there. I’ll come back later.”
I hurry off, feeling Kristen’s eyes on me. Does she think I was listening in? I’m not even sure what I heard. Something about her mom. Is Kristen going to tell her mom that Principal Edwards is cheating? But Jackson said her mom wouldn’t believe her. Is there something else Kristen’s going to tell her? Something Principal Edwards doesn’t want her to know?
The whole thing is messed up. I wish Jackson weren’t involved in it. He says it’ll be over soon, but I’m not sure I believe him.
After school, I get home and find Braden in my room, lying on my bed, his arms behind his head.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, standing by my bed.
He slowly smiles. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell youwhat?”
