Page 48 of The Forever After Bet

“No, sir, she doesn’t need my help.”

A few oohs, aahs, and snickers spread through the room.

“Well, if we’re talking about new states joining the union, America has already purchased the Louisiana territory.”

“That’s correct.” Mr. Metcalf nods.

“Southern states worried that they’d eventually be outnumbered, and Congress would outlaw slavery.”

“Again, correct.” Mr. Metcalf smiles at me because he knows I know the answer.

“It was Timothy Clay who wrote the Missouri Compromise, also called the Compromise of 1820. It eased tensions in the north and south for about thirty years.”

“Well done, Miss Clark. I’ll let the tardy slide today, but don’t make a habit of it.”

“Thank you, and I won’t.”

When we leave history, Jack walks next to me. “Do I want to know why you and Ford were late?”

I shrug. “Someone left the student workroom open, and we took advantage. We lost track of time, kind of.”

“Nice.” Jack laughs. “I’m headed to the vending machines. Do you want your usual?”

“Yes, please.”

In economics, Mrs. Gomez gives us a study sheet for our upcoming test next week. We spend the entire period answering the questions as a class. I take so many notes that my hand cramps by the end of class.

“Hey,” Landon waves, walking up to me before chemistry starts.

“Hi, what’s up?” I ask.

“So, Chanel and I need to switch times when we can work at the booth on Saturday. It’s her mom’s birthday, and her family makes a big deal out of birthdays. They are having a big party that starts at four, and Chanel needs to be home to help set up and get everything ready. I guess her entire extended family gets together. We’d originally signed up to work the first shift from nine to eleven, but Bree changed us. I’m working with you from two to four, and Chanel is working with Cory from four until six.”

“I’m so sorry. Show up to help when you originally signed up to volunteer. Will you tell Cory and Edison that too? Bree is trying to be difficult. She wants to create problems. In fact, I think she lives for it.”

“We didn’t want to cause any problem, but thank you,” Landon says.

“It’s not a problem. I appreciate your help. I’ll email everyone, minus Bree, and let them know to work their original schedule. I think the time Bree’s volunteering only affects Jack, Leah Ford, me, and Ty. The five of us can work around her.”

“Awesome! I will see you on Saturday.” Landon nods.

“You definitely will.” I smile at Landon and then turn to Ford. “I don’t understand why she had to mess with the entire schedule. She could’ve just scratched Jack and Leah out of the noon spot and taken it.”

“She didn’t want it to seem obvious that she was having me volunteer the same time as her,” Ford says.

“Then she must think we’re all stupid. If you don’t want to work with her, you don’t have to.”

I want to tell him I don’t want him to work the booth with her, but that’s getting a bit possessive. It’s not Ford I’m worried about. It’s Bree.

Ford’s phone vibrates. He pulls it out and scowls. “Talk about the devil, and she’ll appear.” I glance over his shoulder to see her text, but he clicks off his phone and shoves it back in his pocket before I can see.

“O-kay.” I sit down and pull my workbook out of my backpack so I can get started on today’s lab.

Ford sits down next to me, scrubbing his hand through his hair. “Do you remember when Bree ran out of the charity meeting on Tuesday?”

I shrug. “Yeah, when she went to give you a good luck kiss for your basketball game?”

Ford’s eyes go wide.

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