Page 61 of The Forever After Bet

“I’m ready,” I sigh.

Leah stands up, grabbing my hand and pulling me up. “Don’t stress. Let’s have a good time and spy on our high school nemesis.”

I shake my head, laughing. “I think she’s more of a nuisance.”

“She’s that too.”

When we get to the school, it’s about twelve-fifteen. Cory and Edison are still working the booth. So instead of spying, Leah and I head over there to see what’s happening. “Hey guys, how are things?” I ask.

“Great. Are you and Leah here to relieve us?” Edison asks.

“It’s supposed to be Bree and Ford, but if you need to go, I’ll stick around until they show up,” I say.

“Yeah, you can both go,” Leah says.

“Thanks, Clark. I have a family thing this afternoon, but I can come back tonight and help take everything down,” Edison says.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes this morning when I showed up.” Cory laughs. “You guys did an awesome job on such short notice.”

“Cameron Winters’ mom helped us. She’s super crafty. These were all Christmas decorations she wasn’t using.”

“Awesome!” Cory exclaims. “I’ll come back and help take down. What time should I be here?”

“Around six would be great,” I say. I thank the guys again for volunteering, and they leave. Leah and I talk to people about donating hand out flyers with items we’re asking for and the time and place they can bring the donations. I want to text Ford and ask him where he is, but I’m afraid he’ll be upset with me for coming to spy on him. At around twelve forty-five, Bree graces us with her presence, flanked by clones Missy and Melissa. I should start calling them the M’s.

“What are you doing here?” Bree asks, her voice dripping with disdain.

I know I shouldn’t, but I straight-up lie. “Edison and Cory called me and asked where their replacements were. They both had plans this afternoon. Leah and I were hanging out, so we came over so they could leave.”

“Uh,” Bree scoffs. “Whatever. They’re losers.”

She looks around at the booth. It looks fantastic, and we’ve gotten tons of compliments in the forty minutes we’ve been here. But if I know Bree, her brain is trying to come up with something mean to say. “It looks like Christmas threw up on the booth.”

“Really?” I ask, making my eyes wide and smiling big. “That’s exactly what we were going for. Thank you for the compliment.”

Leah laughs out loud behind me. She doesn’t bother trying to hide it.

“Ew, you’re so gross.” Bree flicks her hand at me. She looks around again, her eyes narrowing. “Where’s Ford?”

I shrug. “I don’t know.”

Bree has her phone out so fast it’s scary. I hear Ford say hello. “Hey, babe, where are you?”

I glance at Leah and mouth, ‘Babe?’ She rolls her eyes and gags.

“I’m right here,” Ford says, walking up to the booth. He clicks off his phone, putting it in his pocket. “Sorry, I’m late. I had a family thing come up.”

“Is everything okay?” Bree asks, putting a hand on his arm.

Ford takes a step back, making Bree drop her arm, and removes his coat. “Yeah, it’s great.”

“We’ll see you in an hour,” I say, picking up my messenger bag. “There’s a box of flyers under the table, and if someone wants to donate, have them use the QR code. It will take them directly to the donate page.”

“We don’t need your help, Clark. Why are you still here? Go hang out with your little junior boyfriend.” She clacks her nails together in a shooing motion.

“At least I can get a man.” I laugh, glancing at Ford and then back at Bree.

“Whoa.“ Leah grabs my arm, pulling me out of the booth.

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