Page 5 of Mercy & Malice

I startle, sitting up as I look around. Thankfully, Mr. LeBlanc is not paying attention to me. After a quick arm stretch, I get back to the final. But I must’ve slept for a while because the class period is over. Shit. Even if I have no chance of having the highest GPA this year, that doesn’t mean I want to fail the damn test.

“Hey, everything good?” Ivy asks as I gape at my incomplete final.

“Yeah. Just didn’t sleep well last night.” Or the previous nights. At all.

She goes to say something else as Mr. LeBlanc calls my name then gestures for me to come to his desk. Great.

Gathering my things, I head to the front of the classroom to accept my fate as I stop at his desk.

Most of the students from my period have left and the next class starts to trickle in as he asks, “Did you finish your exam?”

“No, actually. I ran out of time.”

He gives me a sympathetic expression. “Sleeping will do that. I’ll allow you time to finish it since you’re not normally a student who sleeps during class much less a final that is worth thirty percent of your grade.”

“I’m sorry.” My mind races, trying to figure out when I’ll get to finish it. I don’t have time. “I don’t have a free period today, and I’m supposed to finish setting up for tomorrow during lunch.”

I’m still rambling when he holds up his hand to stop me. “It’s all good. We’ll figure out a time. I have plenty of papers to grade, so I’ll be here late.”

“I have work then babysitting.” We were supposed to be finished setting up so I’d asked for an extra shift right after school. My schedule is packed by my own doing, but I’m suddenly regretting that. “I can see if I can go in a few minutes late. Or maybe some things get done in the morning. I should have time.”

“What about next week?” I probably look confused, so Mr. LeBlanc explains, “Monday is a workday for staff. I’ll be here all day, and grades aren’t due until Monday night. If you come early enough, I’ll have plenty of time to make sure it gets in the system.”

“That would be amazing. But can you maybe not tell my mom that I fell asleep during class? She has enough on her plate, and I don’t want her to worry about me.” This could work. “She asked me to help out Monday with masquerade cleanup, so I have a reason to be here already. I can finish first thing in the morning if that is okay.”

“Our little secret.” He grins, and I regret falling asleep more in this moment. But I’m grateful he’s not just grading it as-is.

“Thanks so much, Mr. LeBlanc.” Since it’s block schedule for exams, I won’t be back in his class until after we come back from break.

“Brooke, don’t overdo it. Maybe you falling asleep in class is a sign you need to slow down a bit.”

I just smile and head to my next class. If I slow down, I fall asleep during finals, apparently. The clear solution is to just keep moving so that doesn’t happen again.

3

BROOKE

Maybe the extra shift was overkill. But I need the money even more than I need the distraction. And since football season is over, my Friday nights aren’t occupied with cheer. However, I feel like I could sleep standing up. So, all I can think to do is move around as much as possible to stay awake.

The cozy ice cream parlor is usually much busier, but today only a handful of customers have stopped in, all of which have opted to take their treats with them rather than enjoying them here, so it’s been very quiet.

Even though there’s an hour left of my shift, I go ahead and start checking off tasks for closing. The black-and-white checkered floors never look clean no matter how much I scrub, which will be my last step before locking up for the night. For now, I just flip the chairs onto the tables and sweep until I hear the bells jingle on the door.

Cain glances around. “Are you closed already?”

“No. Just trying to get a head start.” I prop the broom against the wall then head behind the counter. “I have to babysit Aurora after I leave here.” The Sullivans knew I’d be arriving at their home late. And since Aurora is thirteen and used to being at home for a short period of time alone, her mom said it was fine. Mrs. Sullivan just didn’t want her there all night alone.

When I spot Ivy and Luca walk in, I know this is more than a random late-night craving for Cain. “I’m fine.”

“Yeah. We know,” Ivy says as she eyes the ice cream flavors through the glass display case. “Can I get a cup of chocolate chip with pecans?”

Cain glances for a few seconds. “I want rocky road and M&M’s as the topping.”

I don’t get started on either order as I eye them like they are currently still looking at the options even though both have already selected. “I’ve worked here for forever and none of you have stepped foot in here until today. What’s going on?” My concern rises as I ask the main questions racing through my mind. “Is there news on Micah? Did something happen?”

The three of them remain silent for a minute before Ivy finally speaks up. “It’s not Micah. Your dad kept driving through the neighborhood, and we were just a little worried he would end up tracking you down.”

“He already did. The other night. He pulled me over on my way home. It was his way of proving I have to do what he wants. There’s nothing to worry about.” Liar. “I appreciate the concern, but I’d rather y’all not be involved.”