“I told you Zach was a jerk,” Nathan said as he, Emma, and Caleb walked away from the Axis table. Caleb knew that wasn’t true. There was a big difference between someone who sometimes acted weird—because they were insecure—and someone who was a jerk. In fact, if anyone on their squad had proved themselves to be a jerk, it was Nathan.

But Caleb still couldn’t understand why Zach had switched sides. He’d been a valued member of the Allied squad. It was the last thing Caleb ever imagined Zach doing. Deep down, Caleb had a feeling that Zach had done it because of him. Was their friendship over? Would they never walk home together again? To be honest, it hurt.

They were halfway back to their table when Nathan veered off, saying he was going to sit with Tanisha and Bethany. Caleb got the feeling that Nathan wasn’t just going to Tanisha’s table for the day. It was a permanent move.

The period ended. Even though Zach sat with the Axis squad at lunch, he didn’t leave with them. Caleb went into the hall and waited. When Zach came out of the cafeteria and saw Caleb, he hesitated for a moment but didn’t stop. Instead, he lowered his head and quickened his pace. In a way, Caleb felt proud of him. There had been a time when Zach would have sensed trouble and immediately run in some other direction to avoid it. Even if it meant taking the long way through the corridors and being late for class.

A moment later they were walking together. How do you start a conversation when you both know exactly what you’re going to say? Caleb wondered. So he simply asked, “Why?”

“You know why,” Zach answered.

“Honestly, Zach. If I knew, I wouldn’t have asked.”

“You’re not my friend,” Zach said. “You never were. You only acted friendly because Ms. B told you to. All this time, you were sucking up to her. Just for more extra credit.”

Caleb winced. It felt like Zach had stabbed him with a knife. “Okay, maybe that was true…for like, a minute. But that day we hung out in the library and you showed me the biggest wave ever surfed? I could tell that you were a pretty cool guy. And then at the informational meeting? Yeah, it was obvious you weren’t going to join the club because of that jerk, Crosby. And yes, Ms. B did ask me to get you to change your mind. But know what? I would have done it anyway. Because it ticked me off. You’d already said you liked The Good War, so why shouldn’t you join? When I walked home with you, it was because I wanted to get you to change your mind. Here’s the thing, Zach. I like hanging out with you. You’re cool, and it’s the one afternoon a week that I don’t have to rush to some stupid after-school activity. It’s like freedom for me.”