I know I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, but when my lips move, the first words that come out are “Why not Grant?”

The voice in the back of my head yells at me immediately. I should be leaping for joy that he came to me for help. Not making him reconsider.

But it just doesn’t make sense. Why me of all people?

Emmitt presses his lips together tightly. “Grant can’t know about this contest. No one can know about this contest.”

I stare at him for a long moment. “Is this illegal?”

“What?” He gives me an aghast look. “No, it’s not illegal. What—why would you even think that?”

“You’re being awfully suspicious,” I point out, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth. “It’s a photography contest, not a crime ring. Why can’t anyone know about it?”

“It doesn’t matter why,” Emmitt says, his tone sharp.

I blink, leaning back against the locker beside mine and observing him. “It sounds like it matters.”

He blows out a long breath, apparently at his wits’ end. For some bizarre reason, it makes me want to smile. “Do you agree or not?”

“What would I have to do?” I ask instead, even though I already know I’m going to agree. I have to, for the sake of the film competition.

“You’ll have to help me choose locations and accompany me to them for the next five weeks,” he says, but his mouth is curled in distaste. It’s clear he’s as reluctant to partake in this deal as I am. “And I’ll participate in whatever film things you require for the duration of those five weeks.”

“I have to accompany you?” I ask wearily. I can try to stifle my distaste for the sake of the short film, but I don’t know how long I can keep up the act if I have to spend extended amounts of time with him.

He nods, one tilt of his head. “And you will have to keep my identity a secret. Only Grant and I know, and it has to stay that way.”

My nose wrinkles, and I look back at my locker. “Rosie already knows.”

“You told her?” he asks, eyes narrowed.

I shoot him a half-hearted glare, taking out my film club journals. Our club meetings start when after-school tutoring ends at 4:00 p.m., so I still have some time to spare. “We’re the co-presidents of the film club. We’ve watched your movies, dickhead. Even with your new dye job, you’re pretty recognizable.”

Emmitt’s hands immediately go to his hair, a self-conscious expression coming across his face, but both of his arms fall to his side when he notices me muffling my laughter. “Okay. You can’t tell anyone else.”