“It’s fine,” I say, gathering myself. “I was just surprised.” I clear my throat. “I’m sorry. It’s okay,” I add to Katherine.

After a second, Jack pulls out the chair and settles in with quick, neat movements. I can feel him studying my face. He always makes direct eye contact, but at this close distance it feels dialed up.

“This is so interesting!” Taylor says, propping his chin in his hand and staring avidly at Jack. Nevaeh elbows him. “What?” he says.

“Addie, I’m sorry,” Katherine says, leaning toward me. “I didn’t know you knew him!”

“Well, to be fair, I think she’s just been referring to him as Captain Knobknocker,” Nevaeh says mildly.

Katherine grabs my hand. “Addie, you know I wouldn’t have invited him—anyone—if we didn’t need help.”

“I’m glad to help,” he says, serious. “It’s a great idea.”

“You told him!” I say, and this time my voice is strangled.

“I’m sorry!” she says. “I was excited. I didn’t tell him everything straight off.”

“Katherine only told me after I agreed to keep a secret,” Jack says quickly. “I always keep my word.”

I just shake my head. Katherine trusts him, I remind myself. Katherine likes him for some reason. It’s fine that he doesn’t like me and that it’ll be awkward to see him in class. Totally fine.

“So, from what Katherine told us, it sounds like you really know your way around,” Taylor puts in.

Nevaeh elbows Taylor, but Jack ignores that, or doesn’t notice because he’s boring. He tells us he’s been coming for summer arts intensives since middle school, doing AV work to help instructors, and has a big old ring of keys that he offers for Taylor to admire.

Jack can help us, I admit.

“Can you and I start scouting this week?” I ask him. Much as I don’t want to spend one-on-one time with Captain Knobknocker, I want to be the one who’s doing things that could get us in trouble whenever possible. Sneaking into buildings counts, for sure.

“You and me?” Jack glances at Katherine.

“I thought—Jack and I would go?” she says. “I mean, especially if you two are like, um. Not best friends.”

Jack and Katherine are sitting arm to arm.

I really think she has a crush on him. And it looks like he might like her back! I feel like a cockblocker when I say, “I think it needs to be me. I don’t want you to get in trouble for sneaking around. Or get noticed somewhere you shouldn’t be, because you’re friends with everyone. Or have trouble picking because you like everything, while I am ruthless and decisive.”

She slumps a little, pokes her milk carton. “Ugh, fine.”

“I’d volunteer if he were cuter, maybe,” Taylor says thoughtfully.

“I am sitting directly across from you,” Jack says.