“Exercising my right to spend the night in a classmate’s room, provided said classmate is of the same sex,” Mateo said, quoting their school handbook. He expected Maria to laugh, or smile knowingly, but her face just looked blank. “How can I help you, Ree?”

Maria shook her head. “I’m here to talk to Brandon.”

Mateo looked back over his shoulder. Brandon had rolled over in bed. He was watching them, but his face was just as pale and stiff as before.

“I don’t think he’s feeling well,” Mateo said. “Not sure he’s up for talking.”

“He’ll be fine.” Maria brushed past him and charged over to sit on the end of the bed. Brandon jumped back as if she’d burned him.

He didn’t look fine at all.

Mateo pulled over Brandon’s desk chair and sat in it backward, his legs stretched out on either side of the chair back, facing the bed.

Maria glanced up at him. “I need to talk to Brandon alone.”

Mateo shrugged. “I’d rather stick around, if that’s cool.”

Maria glared at him, like she thought he’d get up if she looked sufficiently annoyed. He shrugged again. Leaving them alone together didn’t seem right. Not with Brandon looking as pale as a ghost.

“Fine.” Maria sighed and turned back to Brandon. “Listen. I wanted you to know I thought about what you said yesterday.”

Brandon scooted back until he was sitting up in bed. A hint of a smile slid across his face. Mateo smiled too, relieved to see Brandon acting more like himself. “That’s good.”

Maria held his gaze. “I decided I’m not going to do it.”

Brandon’s smile dissolved.

“I was serious, Ree,” he said. “I meant what I said.”

“Are you absolutely sure of that?” Maria’s smile wasn’t friendly.

Neither of them looked in Mateo’s direction, but he could tell by the frozen looks on their faces that they were extremely conscious of his presence. There was something going on here that they didn’t want him to know about.

All Mateo knew was that Brandon had given her the ultimatum. He’d been pretty broken up about it the night before. There were tears. It had crushed Brandon, having to confront his best friend that way. He’d been afraid it would mean the end of their friendship.

Watching them now, Mateo had a feeling Brandon’s fears had been spot-on.

Maria stood up and brushed off her jeans. She was wearing the same outfit she’d worn to classes the day before. Had she been up all night?

“Fine.” Her eyes were on Brandon, her mouth set in a thin line. “Have it your way.”

Mateo stood up too and met her by the door. He made a big show of swinging it open and ushering her out with a dramatic bow. Maria just gave him another tight-lipped smile.