I didn’t want to go at all, but part of me was relieved Victor still wanted to spend time with me, outside of being my constant rescuer. I hoped we might be able to enjoy the evening, and that I could leave him behind with a clear conscience.

“Great,” Anamae said. “We can all ride in Knox’s Hummer. I mean, that thing could carry the entire school.”

“A double date,” Victor said, considering it. “Well, I don’t know about your date, Anamae, but mine sounds like fun.”

I felt Knox’s footsteps quicken as he tried to catch up with Victor. I grabbed Knox’s arm, holding him on the spot. Anamae and Victor continued going on and on about what we would do before and after prom, not noticing we were no longer following them.

“Remember,” I said. “I’m for James.”

“Well, maybe someone should tell him,” Knox said, nodding at Victor.

“That somebody can’t be you,” I said. I smiled thinly. “I’ll take care of it.”

When I walked into the guidance office during third period, I was surprised to find I had a helper. Knox sat on the pew, trying to balance a stack of papers on his lap. He leaned over, folded a letter, and then stuffed it into an envelope.

“Hello, Leath,” Ms. Wakely said. “Knox only needed to finish up three courses for his junior year. He has the same free periods as you. Third and last. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Knox gave me a wide grin.

I rolled my eyes.

“So, he’s going to help you finish the end-of-the-year madness.”

Awesome.

I tried to squeeze into the small space beside Knox, purposely elbowing him in the process.

“I’ll be back in a sec,” Ms. Wakely said. I’d worked in guidance long enough to know she was going on her smoke break.

“When we’re done here last period, we can head straight out,” Knox said in a super-helpful tone of voice.

“You can’t keep me on a leash forever,” I said.

“I don’t have to,” Knox said, grinning. “I only have to keep you on a leash for a month.”

Knox had gotten himself assigned to every one of my classes, not counting the two free periods. While I was perturbed for the first couple of days by his intrusion into my life, I found it difficult to stay angry with him. Knox had a kind heart and a quick wit that usually had me laughing even during the times I was most aggravated by him.

With two of us working in the guidance office twice a day, the end-of-the-year mailing was quickly completed. My role as office helper returned to the most boring job ever. Knox didn’t mind the monotony. He engaged Ms. Wakely in small talk at every opportunity.