Page 17 of It Started with a Sunset
Just then, Mike’s flashlight shone into the Welcome Center lobby and Avery yelped. “Oh, shiitake mushrooms, we’re going to get caught!”
Summer rushed them out of Brock’s office and shut the door behind them. “Avery, hide under Deja’s desk. Pavani, you get between the ficus and that filing cabinet and be careful with yourself or Zain is never going to trust me with you again.” They scurried into their spots, and Summer hid behind one of the padded chairs in the common area, right by where they had their morning stand-ups. It was about the worst place she’d hidden in her life.
A moment later, she heard the Welcome Center door open, and Mike’s voice call out, “Is anyone in here? I better not find anyone here, or you’re probably going to get arrested or something.”
She heard Avery gasp, so she peeked around the chair to where her friend was hiding to see if she was okay. A look of exhilaration filled Avery’s whole face. Her whole body, actually. Yeah, she wasn’t scared. Summer smiled as she pulled her head back and Mike’s flashlight shone haphazardly around the area.
Then there was a second voice. “Oh, Mike. I’m glad you got here quickly. I just saw on the monitors some kids sneak in here. Have you found them?”
Mike laughed nervously. “Kids? Nah. There are no kids in here.”
True.
“I saw them.”
“Then they’re gone now. Come on; let’s get this place locked up.”
Summer peeked out to see Mike’s hand on the other campus security guard’s shoulder, trying to get him to turn toward the door.
“Not until I’m confident that we’ve fully checked out the place.”
* * *
Pavani and Averylooked every bit as chagrined as Summer felt as the three of them sat on the hard chairs in the Campus Security office while Officer Hauber ran their access cards through their security system.
Then he turned around. “Want to explain to me why the three of you were hiding in a place that you have clearance to be in?”
“Not really,” Summer said. It wasn’t like she could come up with a reason that wouldn’t sound totally stupid.
But Officer Hauber just stood, feet shoulder-width apart, arms crossed, looking like he wasn’t going anywhere until he got answers.
Avery was the first one to break. She pointed at Summer and said, “We’re here because Summer has a crush on a boy we work with!”
Summer’s face immediately heated up. They were going to start calling her Sunburn instead of Summer.
But apparently, that was a good enough reason for the security guard. He put a hand over his eyes and shook his head, but then told them they were free to go.
They weren’t exactly there because she had a crush on a boy.
But then again, maybe it was time that she admitted to herself that they really kind of were.
Chapter Eight
Brock
Brock’s arms were full with all the cards, pamphlets, and booklets for the Aquamoose Tracks packets that he’d just picked up from the campus printer, so he was glad that Avery was headed into the Welcome Center at the same time as him and could grab the door.
“Thanks,” he said as he walked past her. She dropped her gaze like she was feeling awkward being around him, which made no sense. So he asked, “What brings you to the Welcome Center side of the wall?” just to make small talk.
“I’m looking for Summer.”
She was headed toward the door that led to their offices, so he said, “Come with me. I’m pretty sure she’s in the meeting room with the ambassadors.” He nudged his glasses back up with his shoulder. They both headed down the other hallway and sure enough, Summer was sitting on the table at the front of the room, her five Friday afternoon ambassadors seated in the front row of chairs.
“Oh! Good!” she said, seeing what Brock carried. “I was hoping those would be ready.” Then her eyes went to Avery, along with everyone else’s.
Avery didn’t seem to like all the attention, and she ducked her chin and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just came to say thank you for inviting me last night, Summer. I haven’t had that much fun in a long time.”
“I’m glad you came.” Summer gave her a smile back that seemed equal parts happy for Avery and like it held a secret that they both shared. Summer’s eyes met Brock’s for a brief second, but then they dropped to the floor, just like Avery’s had after meeting his eyes earlier, and he wondered again what was going on. But then Summer’s eyes went back to the group of ambassadors, Avery ducked out of the room, and Summer clapped her hands once, getting everyone’s attention back on her.
