He pushed his glasses up his nose as he turned to look. At the front of the room, someone was talking to the teacher. Going over the project notes.

Ryan recognized the boy. He noted the fresh, brand-spanking-new uniform.

Someone from his old school.

No. Not fair.

How was he supposed to handle this? Did he get out in front of the problem? Divert? Deny? Negotiate? What could the guy even want?

He watched out of the corner of his eye as the boy left the teacher’s desk, then began navigating the room. Round-faced, hair buzzed short to the point he was almost bald, ruddy cheeks, and a crisp school uniform better suited for someone of a lighter build.

Maybe emboldened, Amanda raised a hand, getting the boy’s attention.

Ryan’s hands went to his glasses, he realized the action might be interpreted as hiding behind his hands, and he made the adjustment brief.

He didn’t miss the moment he was recognized. The recognition, followed by wariness. The boy had probably heard the stories.

“I’m supposed to read some people’s work and sign it?”

“I still need someone else to read mine,” Amanda said. “I’m Manny.”

“Lloyd,” the boy said. Two thirds of his attention were on Ryan now. Amanda didn’t seem to notice.

“I’m Ryan,” Ryan said.

“You used to go to Hillside?”

“Yeah.”

The wariness intensified, if anything. But Lloyd didn’t say anything. As he looked over Amanda’s work, making small talk with Amanda, Ryan made a note on a slip of paper.

Ryan’s glasses found their way into his hands, under the guise of cleaning them. A way to keep himself still when he was agitated. To avoid any comment that might be foolhardy or rushed. To keep his hands busy. Training himself.

Five minutes passed before Lloyd finished. He shuffled over, until he sat opposite Ryan. His jaw was set now, his shoulders stiff.

There was a kind of humor in the note that Ryan passed along with his work. He might have smiled or laughed, but he was too wary. Not when he was taking a risk like this.

Other students passed notes saying something like, ‘Do you like Sarah? Y/N’

The note Lloyd got was simpler. ‘Ernie. Joseph. Ms. Butler. Christina. Lloyd too? Y/N’

Minutes passed before Lloyd finished the work. The class was restless, people moving around and chatting more because most had finished. Ryan was very still.

The note was passed back. That was the first good sign. If Lloyd had thought to keep it and show it to anyone… but Lloyd hadn’t.

The ‘N’ was circled. The second good sign.

Two aces up his sleeve, if he ever had a cause to need them.

⊙