She didn’t like it.
Gem passed her near the corner by Faith’s fourth block. Devon got there first, and Lia wrapped her fingers around his wrist, holding him back in the hallway.
“This isn’t the plan?” he asked softly.
Lia leaned in close. “I need her to see us talking.”
A carrot at the end of a stick wasn’t enticing if the carrot wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place. Traps needed context.
“Oh, okay,” Devon said. “Think Gem can pull this off?”
“Yeah.” Lia caught sight of Faith turning the far corner just behind Devon and smiled. “Slump your shoulders. Look tired.”
“Be careful,” she whispered, and patted his shoulder. He reached up to squeeze her hand. “Go inside and then meet me in the drama room the moment you can.”
It was the only place to which they had access that would make sure they were found. After twenty minutes, students would start wandering to the auditorium for rehearsal and Lia’s mom would be looking for her from the pickup line.
Faith cut through the crowd toward the door next to Lia. Gem followed. Faith’s keychain swung from her backpack zipper with each step, and Lia looked up. She let her mouth fall open slightly and waved. Faith stopped next to her.
“Lia,” she said, her eyes flitting over her. “How are you?”
“You know.” Lia shrugged and pretended it was hard to even force a smile. “I actually have a favor to ask you, but don’t feel weird if you want to say no.”
Faith cocked her head to the side, her long brown hair swinging forward in a sheet and suddenly all Lia could see was the barrel of Ben’s water gun.
Lia realized her hands were clenched. She loosened them.
“Do you think I could borrow your copies of your sister’s notes?” Lia asked, biting her nail. “Class has just been hard recently. I feel like an idiot. I didn’t even think about asking for Mark’s notes.”
Even if she had, she was sure he wouldn’t have handed them over.
Faith sighed, a slight smile on her lips. “Of course. We could meet after school today if you want?”
“Thank you so much.” Lia threw her arms around Faith, hugged her tight for two seconds, and watched Gem finish unhooking the Mace canister from Faith’s keychain. Lia squeezed Faith once more before letting go. “Really. That makes everything seem way less terrifying.”
Gem pocketed the Mace and blended seamlessly into the crowded hallway.
“No problem,” Faith said. “So today?”
“I can’t. I’m staying for orchestra rehearsal with Devon. He usually decompresses backstage before everyone arrives, and I’m going to run and get some food before rehearsal starts.” Lia shrugged and bit her lip. “Maybe tomorrow I can meet you somewhere?”
Faith smiled too broadly than anyone would on a day overshadowed by three deaths and nodded. “Tomorrow. I’ll message you?”
“Sure!” Lia said. “Thanks again.”
Lia made it to class with thirty seconds to spare. Everything felt so normal: her teacher went over a new chapter, her classmates looked over their homework they needed to do while school was canceled with bored expressions, and less studious kids played on their phones under desks and behind books. Lia messaged Devon to tell him what she had said, and he promised to try and mention it offhandedly if he thought he could. Lia was already halfway out the door when the bell rang. She raced to the auditorium. Gem was already there.