Chapter 10: The Deal

On Monday morning Kenzie Finnegan was waiting outside the Gazette office with her arms crossed.

She had been there since seven, according to the custodian.

I came around the corner and saw her, and my feet turned around on their own.

Someone caught my elbow from behind.

"Walk with me," said Rhett.

He had appeared out of nowhere, in his jacket, with a coffee in each hand.

"I can't," I whispered. "She's right there."

"I know. Take this."

He pushed a hot chocolate into my fingers.

Then he tucked my free hand into the crook of his arm.

"Rhett, what are you doing?"

"Saving your life," he said. "Smile."

"I don't smile."

"Try."

We walked straight down the hall toward Kenzie.

Her eyes went from my face to his arm, and back again.

"Morning, Kenzie," said Rhett pleasantly. "Looking for someone?"

"Anja."

"She's busy. We're going to class."

"Together?"

"Together."

Kenzie's mouth fell open a quarter of an inch.

"You two are..."

"Yeah," said Rhett, and he squeezed my hand where it rested on his sleeve.

My heart was doing something athletic.

We kept walking, and Kenzie didn't follow.

Behind us I heard her whisper, "Oh my God," to no one.

Around the next corner I yanked my hand free and shoved him into a row of lockers.

"What was that?"

"A plan," he said.

"A plan? You told her we're dating!"

"I didn't say dating. I said together."

"That's the same thing!"

"It's two different words."

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