Constanza smiled. “Oh, I wouldn’t say that, Jess Shady. Sounds like you had fun. But don’t worry. You get your studying done and I’ll work on setting the record straight.”

“Thanks, Constanza. I really appreciate it. But, um, which record are you going to use?”

“How about a medium one? Hand holding but no kissing? And no previous criminal record?”

“Well, thanks, I guess. Try not to make me sound too evil, though? I could be living here in Bixby for a while.”

“Not a problem, Jess. A little drama wins more friends than boring. Which is not to say that you were…boring.”

“Thanks.”

“In fact, what are you doing this Friday?”

“Being grounded.”

“That’s too bad. Some friends of mine, of the senior persuasion, are having a party out at Rustle’s Bottom.”

“Rustle’s what?” Jessica said.

“It’s a dried-out lake bed. A good place to park a keg, you know? It’s over in Broken Arrow County, officially outside the dreaded curfew zone. I’m not sure if Jessica Day would have wanted to come, but Jess Shady would have a great time.”

“Sorry. Both of us are grounded until October.”

“Too bad. Anyway, see you at lunch.” Constanza hugged her. “And don’t worry, this story’s only prime-time news for a week, tops.”

She swept back to the long table, and Jessica sank into the corner chair, grateful that Constanza would be filling in for her on the gossip circuit. At least someone was on her side.

Jess realized that Dess was in her usual place across the table.

“Oh, good. I was hoping you’d be here.”

“I wouldn’t miss my favorite period,” Dess said.

“What, the tutor-Jessica-in-trig period?” Jessica asked hopefully.

Dess smiled. “Today, any tutoring will cost you.”

Jessica groaned. “Not you too.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t want to hear how you got busted. Your lame criminal record is uninteresting to me. All I want to know is, did you fly?”

Jess glanced at the long table. Constanza had them all spellbound.

She turned back to Dess and nodded.

“Isn’t it excellent?” Dess said.

A tiny and unexpected stab of annoyance went through Jessica. Almost jealousy. But of course Jonathan had taken at least one of the other midnighters flying. How else would he know how it worked? Still, flying had felt like a private thing between the two of them.

“Yeah. It’s great.”

“I thought you’d like it. That’s why I told Jonathan where you lived.”

Jessica nodded and smiled at Dess. “I’m glad you did.”

“Someone had to.”

“You’re sort of not taking sides in this Rex and Jonathan thing, are you?”