“I find that stuff interesting,” retorted Vik. “And for your information, she’s an adjunct at Miskatonic and that’s what she teaches in her night classes. She works with our parents. They all know her and she knows them. So yes, ‘marine biology’ but also that ‘archeology stuff’ that you’re too much of a philistine to care about.”

I scoffed, hurt. He shook his head. “Look,” he said, “I’m upset, Father was really mad at me. He blamed me for losing the book and… Look, I’m going to go. We can talk later.”

I moved to stop him, but stayed silent, watching him as he grabbed his tray, dumped his uneaten food into the trash and left the cafeteria. As he went, I saw Bree approach, an expression of concern on her face and small mountain of food on her tray.

“What’s with him?” she asked, sitting across from me where Vik had been not thirty seconds prior.

I sighed. “A few things. Did you know he’s being tutored by that…” I didn’t feel like she deserved the dignity of being referred to by her surname like a real teacher. Ms. Epistola. She wasn’t a real teacher or a real professor, just a cheap cheerleader Barbie substitute. “That Scarlett lady?”

“Yeah, apparently she knows his parents. He’s totally into that stuff she talks about during class. You know, that stuff that totally has nothing to do with marine biology…”

“I don’t trust her,” I said, scowling at Bree angrily. “And I don’t like that Vik’s spending all this time with her.” A picture of Riley flashed into my mind, and suddenly I remembered why I had been mad at Bree when I sat down. “And I can’t believe you told Riley that I liked him!”

“What’s the big deal?”

“Well it’s not true, for one.”

“Suuuure it isn’t.” Bree took a big bite of her ranch-soaked pizza. I sulked.

“Okay,” she relented. “I’m sorry, I was just… I didn’t think I was out of line, but I’m sorry, okay?”

I continued to sulk, crossing my arms and looking away.

Bree’s face brightened. “Hey, there’s going to be another party tomorrow after school.”

“Not another pool party…”

“Well, we do live in a port town,” reminded Bree, “this one’s on the beach.”

“That’s even worse!”

Bree sighed, exasperated. “You don’t have to go in the water.” A sly smile crept onto her face. “It’s a college party. So no high school idiots to do dumb, idiot things like drag people into pools.”