Page 100 of And They Were Roommates

Hope flutters inside me, but I can’t possibly be understanding correctly. “To what?”

“You’ll see in the next progress report handouts.”

“But can I know now?”

She glances around the track. “Let’s go with an A. Please keep this to yourself, Charlie.”

I do mental math in my head. “We’ve been scored ten times so far, and I averaged at a C-minus in October, so I should only be at a B at most. And the rules about PE—”

“You’ve workedhard. Turn off that brain of yours and walk some laps.” Ms. Nallos focuses back on the next tester.

As I head for the indoor track, I can barely think straight, too many emotions shooting through me. AnA. Others are already done testing and walking, too, including Xavier and his buzz-cut crew. At least his friends have stuck by his side during STRIP’s downfall.

I join them. “Hey.”

“What’d you get, man?!” Xavier shouts in my face.

Buzz-Cut One glances my way. Xuan. Then the other. Zach, I think. He goes in for a bro handshake—a basic slide into the standard grip that I’ve started to learn meansI have no clue who you are, but you seem chill.

I don’t have to think too hard about how my hand moves as I return it. “I passed.” My voice comes out distant. I’m too in shock.

Xavier picks me up off the floor and squeezes me so hard that I almost snap. “Hallelujah!”

By the time my feet hit the floor again, my equilibrium is dead. I stumble to the left. “But I only got one pull-up. Ms. Nallos gave me the credit anyway because you and I have been training so hard together. So, thank you.”

“Really? Dang. You’re welcome. But.” Xavier’s forehead crinkles as he leans into my face. I don’t move back. “No offense, but you look like shit.”

“I’m fine. I just pulled an all-nighter.”

“Beforethistest?”

“I have to study for all our other tests.”

The excitement Xavier showed before has been completely erased by worry now. He digs into his pocket and pulls out a protein bar. “I brought this for you just in case.” He throws it my way.

My brain doesn’t process in time, and it slaps my temple. I jerk.

Xavier winces at the protein bar now on the floor. “Really thought you’d catch that. You look like you haven’t been eating. Stuff that in your mouth.”

I pick up the bar and follow orders, wondering if that means I’ve lost weight. It’s not like I’ve had time to look in a mirror.

Xavier slaps my back encouragingly. “C’mon, you’ll make the ranks on Wednesday. You’ve worked too hard not to.”

I smile back, trying to believe this for once too. But I have no clue if I should.

Chapter 37THE STRANGER

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

The rest of finals went by in what felt like a hazy, metaphysical state of panic. The English literature final essay topic was, thankfully,oo ghost. Chemistry, world history, and first-year civics, I turned in early. Calculus, though, I finished right astimewas called. Then I finally took a breath.

Now Wednesday classes are already beginning—the day instructors scramble to entertain us after the trauma we’ve faced before the mixer and winter break. Ms. Nallos lets us play any sport we want, and I spend the time anxiously walking the track, my legs dragging like they’re 100 percent uranium—the heaviest element in nature and question eleven on the chemistry final. Did I answer that right?

After this and one hour of English literature, the grade rank board will update to finish off the semester. Everyone and their parents will know where they land. Delilah will know if she’s hit high enough to run for the student council board. I’ll finally know if I stay or go.

Soon enough, I’m in English, and Mr. Stern is kicking open the door, the hem of his deeply memorable leopard-print blazer flapping behind him. “Testing’s over! How’re you feeling?”

The ceiling chandelier hums. A cough comes from the back.

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