We have takeout and talk way past Aaron’s bedtime, and tonight feels different.

Nia is including me, and Mum notices because, a few times, she tilts her head and grins. She doesn’t know we connected over a girl made of secrets.

It’s not until we say good night that I realize I haven’t watched Amy’s house for hours. Mum must have drawn my curtains, and I could pull them back, just for a minute. But, instead, I get into bed, close my eyes, and whisper, “Clap.”

58

“Amy’s keeping her distance,” Zak says.

I follow his stare across the courtyard, see her disappear into the English block, and say, “We kissed.”

“Seriously? When?”

It already feels like weeks ago, that day when my anxiety evaporated and I barely thought of anything except us.

“The Saturday we went out. She took me to see the squirrels.”

“Is that a euphemism?” Zak asks. Then, when I don’t answer, “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“Because I found the carvings, and I didn’t know what to think. Then she invited me to hers for dinner…”

“On the second date?”

“It wasn’t a date. It was like a weird dream.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was her brother who carved those stick figures.”

It feels like, the more people I tell, the more things will make sense. This isn’t my secret to keep. If Amy’s not being honest with me, I’ll talk to people who are.

“I have a theory,” Zak says. “What if you’re so afraid of actually falling for this girl that you’re…”

“Making it up?”

“No, but…how do you know her brother did that?”

“I saw the same drawings in his room. Trust me, mate. Something’s not right. If you’d been there, you would understand. It felt like everyone was holding their tongue. I know I’m paranoid, but, sometimes, paranoia is being first to the truth.”

Zak looks at me like he’s not so sure. “So what did the brother say?”

“Nothing. I didn’t really speak to him.”

I know I should. But the problem is the house. I can’t just walk up to the front door and hope Will answers.

The buzzer and the gate mean no one can sneak up on the Pearces. I had my chance to look closer, and I took it. But what’s the use of knowing who made those carvings if I don’t know why?

Jane drives Will to and from school. The car doors only open once the gate has clunked shut. He’s never on my side of the spikes, so I can’t talk to him. Would he even answer if I did?