The bell doesn’t work in the library; it’s been broken since the end of last year. Even though I know the librarian will tell us when it’s time to pack up, I grab my phone to check the time—and maybe my texts. But seriously, I have orchestra last period, and if I’m late, I’ll spend the entire time dusting instruments instead of playing.

“Oh, you’re pathetic,” Jayla says, kicking my chair.

Nikki rests her head on my arm. “I think she’s adorable.”

“Who’s adorable?” Ty asks, leaning back so far in his chair, he almost tips over. He flails around a little to regain his balance, and Nikki bites her lip to keep from giggling. “You know, forget it. I’m just gonna—” he says, pointing back at his homework sprawled all over the table in front of him.

“God, all you do is text with him now.” Jayla slams her textbook shut, prompting another shushing from the librarian. “You barely even respond to my messages, but Bats friggin’ texts you and the whole world stops.”

I crinkle my forehead. “Why do I have to be texting you when you’re one seat away?”

“I’m just saying, your response time has sucked since the con and it’s annoying. You don’t even know anything about this kid; he could be a catfish! You could be blowing me off for a catfish. I hope you’re cool with that.”

I roll my eyes. “How can he be a catfish when we’ve both met him?”

“I didn’t meet him,” she corrects. “I met his sister. At best, I glanced at him from across the hall.”

“You shared an elevator with him,” I say. “Plus, you thought his sister was cute.”

“Irrelevant. It’s been a week, and you still don’t know his real name.”

“So what? I know a lot of other stuff.”

“Oh god.” Nikki blushes. “I don’t want to know.”

I roll my eyes. “It’s not even like that.” And it’s true—it’s not like that at all, nothing even close to that.

“Then what is it like?” Jayla asks, arching an eyebrow.

I settle on “It’s nice,” which makes Nikki coo and get all dreamy-eyed again. “I like talking to him. He’s funny.”

“What if he’s hideous under the mask? What if he’s hiding some deep, dark secret?”

“I don’t care,” I snap. And I’m surprised by how true that feels, although I’m guessing by his absolute refusal to FaceTime that maybe there is something going on. Something he doesn’t want to share.