“That little bag is just so funky and perfect. How do they fill it up? It’s magic, right?”

Aishah was shaking her head. “Taylor, the package is sealed after they put the juice in,” she said. “It’s not that big of a mystery.”

“But how do you know?” he said, his mouth slightly open, his face confused.

“So, were you confused by Capri Suns, too, Héctor?” asked Jackson, trying to stifle a laugh.

“I don’t even know anymore,” he said.

“So what were you going to ask about?” said Aishah.

“This place,” said Héctor. “I know about the Table of Misfits, obviously.”

“The best table,” said Taylor. “Never forget.”

“And obviously, I know about the worst table,” said Héctor.

The four of them slowly glanced over to where Mike’s table was, and Héctor scowled at them.

He quickly scanned the cafeteria. Where was Carmen? Would she join them? When he couldn’t find her, he turned back to the Misfits.

“What else is there?” he asked. “What should I know about Orangevale Middle School that I don’t? Any teachers to avoid, or maybe . . .” He paused, then threw caution to the wind. “Maybe like cool spots or secret rooms or something?”

“I don’t know about that last one,” said Jackson. “The building is pretty boring. Though there are some rooms I’ve never explored behind the auditorium.”

“Wait, what?” Héctor said. “There’s an auditorium?”

“Yeah,” said Aishah, peeling an orange. “It’s pretty big. It’s through those weird double doors over by the gym.”

“How is there an auditorium but no theater class?”

Jackson shrugged. “Beats me.”

“The only art stuff they seem to have is band and Mrs. Caroline’s classes,” said Aishah. “And you lucked out because she’s the best teacher here.”

“I really like her,” said Héctor. “She’s kinda weird, which is always a good thing.”

“No teacher compares to her,” said Taylor, who . . . no. Héctor did a double take. Taylor had part of a Capri Sun pouch in his mouth, and he was . . .

“What are you doing, man?” asked Héctor. “Where did you even get that?” He hadn’t seen them in the cafeteria line.

Taylor removed the pouch from his mouth. Sure enough, he had bitten into it and sucked the juice out of the holes his teeth had made.

“I always keep some with me,” said Taylor.

Taylor lifted his backpack above the table, and more Capri Suns than Héctor could count spilled over the table.

“Dope, right?” said Taylor, smiling ear to ear.

Héctor grabbed one. “Taylor, every new thing I learn about you makes you more and more of a mystery.”

Taylor bit into another Capri Sun, which immediately sprayed in his face. Everyone started laughing until Taylor froze, his eyes wide.

“What’s up, HECK-tor?”

Oh no. Mike.