Chapter 4: Departures

The line at the Ashford Regional check-in counter was twelve people deep, and Toby was the one holding it up.

"I swear it was in my wallet," he said to the airline agent for the third time.

"Sir, a school ID and a library card are not government photo ID."

"The library card has my picture on it."

"It has a cartoon owl on it."

A man behind us laughed. Toby turned red and pulled every card out of his wallet again.

Chelsea stood beside him with her carry-on, her sunglasses on her head, her thumbnail between her teeth.

I stood a step behind them with my duffel bag at my feet.

I had packed one change of clothes, my laptop, my charger, and a folder with Kingswell's red crest on the cover.

The agent tapped on her screen.

"Sir, I can rebook your seat for the evening flight once you have a valid ID with you. The change fee is three hundred and forty dollars."

Chelsea turned around and looked at me.

"Malcolm, you handle that. Right?"

I raised my eyebrows.

"It's on your card anyway," she said.

"You booked it on my card."

"Because you were so excited about it!" Her voice went up. "You're the one who's supposed to remember everything. Why didn't you check his ID?"

"Why would I check his ID?"

"Because you always do!"

Toby looked at his shoes.

"Come on, Chels, don't blame Mal. It's my fault. I just thought the school one would work."

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