He was harsh, I replied.Just doing his job.
Pravika had sent a series of messages.
OMFG!the first one read.YOU AND TAG? GET IT, LILY!
Veeks, relax, I typed before reading her other messages, then added,It’s not what you think.
Because it wasn’t. Wehadtechnically hooked up last night at the boathouse, but it was as if the Jester’s prank had pushed us down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. Tag’s green eyes had flashed in the moonlight before everything began to spin. “Hopscotch,” I remembered him whispering after that first dizzying kiss, the sound of his voice making my body hum. “I don’t want this to fall apart. We need to—”
Enough, Lily, I told myself. It was over; it was done. It was nothing but fun and games.
Heart twisting, I deleted what I’d written to Pravika and instead told her what had happened at my hearing before composing a text to Alex and Zoe. Maya too, since I knew Zoe would tell her everything. I couldn’t quite pinpoint my hesitation for including Manik, but in the end, I did. He was a Jester’s fool, so he deserved to know.No strike, I texted,but detention tomorrow.
Phew!Zoe replied at the same time as Maya said,They took it easy on you!
Ladies, I don’t think she’s done yet, Alex wrote.
My fingers trembled as I typed,No prom, no senior dinner, no longer salutatorian.
Nobody responded for a while, then a message from Manik appeared.I’m so sorry, Lily. That’s awful. I feel awful.
The others echoed him before Maya tried to break the ice.At least you won’t have to go to prom with my brother, she said.That’s something.
I swallowed. Daniel had texted me, but I hadn’t responded yet.Hey, he’d messaged.I don’t know how long disciplinary hearings last—never been in one—but call me afterward.
Play it cool today, Alex reminded us.Especially you, Manik.
The Almanacs, I suddenly realized. They were supposed to be distributed this afternoon!
Don’t worry, Manik texted.I’ve got it all figured out. Daniel and I are supposed to meet at the yearbook office at lunch. I’m going to be “running late” to ensure he’ll be the one who discovers they’re gone.
Once everyone had liked his message, we signed off. I locked my phone, but soon the screen lit up with a private message from Alex:Do you want me to wait with you?
I smiled a little.Alex, you’re in class.
Yeah, he said,but I can always go to the bathroom and then just not come back.
No, I thought. Alex could not get in trouble.
Thank you, but I’m okay, I typed.Tag and I need to talk.
Agreed, he replied.I only offered in case you thought a moderator might help.
I laughed.I’ve missed you, Alex Nguyen.
You too, Lily Hopper, he said.I’ve missed you too.
I’d texted Tag that I was downstairs, but after an hour, something started gnawing in the pit of my stomach. Second period had ended, and it was now student-teacher consultation…how long was his hearing going to last? Where was he?
Everything in me jolted when my phone finally chimed with answers.I’m in the secret stairwell, Tag had texted.Are you still here?
I’m here! I’m coming, I tapped back, and after scribbling a quick thank-you note to Mr. Hoffman, I burst out of his office and zigzagged my way through the crowded atrium. My heart hammered as I turned down an ancillary hallway and ran straight to the door markedPRIVATE.
Behind it, Tag sat at the bottom of the staircase. “Lily,” he breathed and barely had time to stand up before I threw myself into his arms and squeezed him as hard as I could. He hugged me back, one of his wondrously warm hugs that never failed to make me melt.
“Smoosh,” I whispered into his chest. “What happened to you?”
“What happened tome?” he sighed and pulled back to look at me with gray eyes. “I’d much rather hear what happened toyou.”
