“Well, there’s time after school for fun and games.” He glanced at his watch. “Right now, it’s time to get to class.”

“Yes sir,” Maria said, walking away with a spring in her step.

Tora put one leg in front of the other, desperately trying to stay on her feet as she headed to her next class.

“See you later, Tora,” Maria said from the end of the hall.

Tora didn’t respond. All she could think was, Of all the times for Noble to be off school sick.

* * *

“You have to consider the source,” Harlan told his sister, as they met with Argus in the cafeteria for lunch. “It’s Maria Abruzzo, after all.”

Argus took a bite of his sandwich, tearing it apart with a hard chomp of his teeth and a quick twist of his hands. “I know you figure she’s still mad at you for beating her out for the lead role in Red Carnations,” he said with a shrug. “She shouldn’t be, though. You guys did really well in Vancouver.”

Tora smiled at that. It had been sweet to beat out Maria for the starring role in the school play, but nothing could compare to the way she felt after placing third at the provincial drama festival. It was the best Redstone had ever done at that competition, and Tora’s performance had a big part to do with the school’s success. However, Tora’s success was Maria’s failure, and Tora could understand why Maria was holding such a grudge.

“And then there was that whole thing with her crying wolf when her sister went missing at the dance,” Harlan said. “She may have it in for you, but nobody’s paying any attention to what she’s saying. You’ve got…we’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Tora shook her head slightly. “It all sounds so reasonable. The trouble is that Maria is not a reasonable person. She’s just so, so, angry…No, that’s not the right word for it. She’s mad!”

“Bingo!” said Harlan.

“Yeah, the only thing she’s missing is a frothing mouth,” Argus chimed in.

The pack had a good laugh, and Tora began to feel better about Maria Abruzzo. But as she ate her lunch, a strange feeling began to creep up on Tora. It was an odd sensation, one that she’d never felt before. It was as if everyone in the room was looking at her and her brothers, their eyes tracking up and down their bodies while passing judgment on the way they looked, moved, and talked.

Tora stopped eating and noticed that both Harlan and Argus had also stopped in mid-chew. And they were glancing at each other as if they were all feeling the same thing.