Meanwhile, Ms. B still kept glancing at the door. Caleb found himself feeling disappointed that Zach hadn’t shown up. And it wasn’t just about paying Ms. B back for helping him create the eSports club. Caleb had been surprised that afternoon while hanging out with Zach in the library. Zach might have been full of fidgets and tics, but there was also something clever and sincere about him. He didn’t try to act cool. He didn’t pretend to be anything except himself. Caleb found that interesting. In a way, he and Zach were opposites.

The door opened again, and a kid named Tyler Phillips came in. All Caleb knew of Tyler was that he was a practical joker who tended to fool around a lot. When Tyler saw the new computers, he widened his eyes like a prospector who’d just found gold. “Man, this is amazing!” he gushed. “I’ve never seen one of these things in real life.”

Ms. B pushed open the computer lab door and glanced out into the hall. Caleb sensed she couldn’t wait much longer to begin the meeting. The kids were getting restless. Ms. B let the door close and faced the group. She worked a smile onto her lips. “I’m so glad you all decided to come. I really think we’re going—”

She stopped and turned her head. Zach was peeking in the window. Ms. B went to the door and opened it. Zach stuck his nose in like a wary mouse sniffing cheese in a mousetrap.

“Come in, Zach,” Ms. B said. Wearing a backpack and carrying his skateboard, Zach took a tentative step, then stopped. His eyes darted around as if he was trying to assess the possible level of danger in the room. From somewhere on Gavin’s side of the table came a loud snort. Zach stiffened.

“Just take a seat, Zach.” Ms. B put a hand on his shoulder and guided him deeper into the room as if she was worried that at any second he would change his mind and scamper away.

Caleb watched Zach take a seat in a corner, about as far from Gavin and Crosby as he could get. There had been a time when Caleb would have been satisfied that Zach showed up, because it would mean he’d paid Ms. B back. But with Gavin and his pals there, Caleb felt a different sensation. An unexpected one that made him uncomfortable. He was worried that all he’d done was help feed Zach to the wolves.

When Mackenzie and Isabella entered the computer lab, Emma cringed. They were the last people on earth she wanted to be in a club with. But the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to game with Caleb. And besides, now it was too late to leave. Ms. B began the informational meeting by saying she hoped that someday they’d join the Middle School eSports League and play against other schools, but Ironville didn’t have the funds, so for now, they would just have two teams play each other at one game.