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dead in the middle of the bed so there was no room for me. She had
probably done it on purpose. I grabbed my pillow and a blanket from the linen
closet and slept on the couch in the living room.

Chapter 18
     
     
    Sunday morning we piled into
the car to go to breakfast. Bram took us to a pancake place. We squeezed into a
booth and looked over the menu. Neither Bram nor Keira had spoken to me the
entire morning. A waitress came over and took our order. I ordered French toast
and orange juice.
    “Will you two just say something
instead of ignoring me like children?” I asked once the waitress had gone.
    “I have nothing to say to
you,” Keira replied.
    “Ditto,” Bram said, looking
out of the window.
    I gave up. I didn’t think I
had done anything that was so terrible, but nothing was worth having my best
friend and brother mad at me. “Listen, I’m sorry. You guys were right, and I
was wrong.”
    “Fine,” Keira said. “But you
need to understand we have rules for a reason. We’re only looking out for the
good of everyone." Bram said nothing. “Anyway,” Keira continued.
“We need to keep our eyes open. Focus on the kids who could be responsible for
this. We don’t have much time.”
    “Good,” Dorian said.
    “Everything okay, Dorian?” I
asked.
    He shrugged. “It is what it
is. We won’t be here long.”
    “Just keep your head in the
game,” Bram said again. I was tired of him saying that.
     
    * * *
    Monday came and I was not
excited about school. I didn’t want to see Hunter. I knew it would be awkward.
I also didn’t want to see Ashley. Surely, she had heard about our date.
    “Hey, Naomi,” said a
high-pitched voice.
    I cringed. I wasn’t in the
mood for Morgan.
    “Hey, Morgan.” She was
wearing all purple today.
    “So, I see you survived your
first week. Need anything?”
    “No, Morgan. I’m just fine,
thanks.” I slammed my locker shut. I spotted Hunter further down the hallway.
We made eye contact and then he walked the other way. I wanted to follow him—to
make things right. We couldn’t date, but there was really no reason we couldn’t
be friends, or at least cordial.
    “Morgan, I have to go. See
you around.”
    She looked disappointed.
“Sure. I’m here if you need anything. Did I give you my cell?”
    “Yeah,” I lied. “I’ll
definitely call you if I have any questions,” I said, backing away.
    I walked briskly down the
hallway, weaving in and out of groups of kids. I spotted Bram leaning against
the wall, with Ashley talking his ear off. She rolled her eyes at me, and I
returned the expression.
    Hunter disappeared into the
boy's bathroom. I'd have to talk to him later. I headed reluctantly for my
first-period class. My mind drifted as Ms. G. lectured about the Constitution.
    A girl entered class late
and handed Ms. G. a yellow slip. It wouldn’t have been such a big deal if she
hadn’t been glowing.
    “I saw another one,” I told
Keira during second period.
    “I saw five in the hallway,”
Keira said. “I want you to eat lunch with me today. I think I might have a
lead.”
I nodded. She and Bram were right. Although I liked Roxy and Paige, I was
wasting my time hanging out with them.
    “Meet me at the at the
picnic tables furthest from the school,” Keira said, then Mr. Bertelli yelled
at us for talking.
    * * *
    “How was your date?” Roxy
asked as we changed for PE “I hope it was worth it. Ashley’s pissed.”
    “It wasn’t worth it, and I
really don’t care how Ashley feels.” Really, what was she going to do to me?
    Roxy and Paige exchanged
surprised glances.
    Ashley came in and ignored
me. I was fine with that. After PE, the girls headed for the cafeteria. “I’ll
catch up with you guys later,” I said.
    “Where are you going,
Casper?” Roxy asked.
    “I just have something to
do.” I went on my way before they could ask any questions.
    I followed Keira’s
directions to the picnic tables. They were far away from the school—past