Katie sits with perfect posture on the other side of the room, doodling in her sketchbook. Whatever she’s drawing, I’m sure I’m a part of it, and I wonder how she’s depicting me. Every time I’ve texted her, she’s taken a while to respond, and I’m not sure why. Or when it began. Is it because of the whole Cullen Henking charade? Is she still upset I left her with him when I ditched lunch a few weeks ago? Does she regret helping me find Amy London? Or has she simply started realizing my friendship isn’t worth it? One look at that illustrated diary of hers would either confirm or deny my speculations. I’m kind of glad I can’t see it.

Mr. Mater returns the pen to the SmartBoard tray, marking the end of his lecture. “I posted a handout online.” Students begin rumbling before he finishes speaking. “Whatever you don’t get done in class, complete for homework. Make sure you submit your answers by eight o’clock tomorrow morning.” Mr. Mater shuffles papers on his desk, officially dismissing us to work for the rest of the period.

I take out my iPad and access Mr. Mater’s home page. I’d be fine working by myself today, but Adam, without invitation, swings his desk around to face mine.

“A delinquent not stalking you anymore is a good thing.” He straightens his cuff, aligning it with the leather band around his wrist. “Even if he is incredibly attractive.”

I glance at Katie, hoping she’ll join us. Instead, she scoots her desk to work with the girl next to her without looking our way. Adam doesn’t address it, almost like he expects it.

“I’m doing number one without you,” I say, like Adam cares that I don’t wait for him. He could balance these equations while writing his research paper for English and get an A on both.

Adam leans over his desk. “It’s not like we haven’t all been guilty of letting a hot guy cloud our judgment.”

“Why are we still talking about this?” I snap, burying myself in the first problem on Mater’s stupid assignment. I pretend to care about something that will never serve a real purpose in my life in order to ignore the throbbing nerve Adam just hit.