Page 70 of The Forever After Bet

“I’ll need approval from Principal Forrest. I don’t think it will be a problem, but I’m not exactly sure how that works. I’ll have to ask him.”

“It’s a computer program. Leave it to me. I know how. The newspaper has authorization,” Bree says with a smug smile.

“That’s great, but I still want to get permission from the principal,” Mrs. Landry says. “Get me a mockup of what the text message would say so he has all the information.”

“I’ll email you the flyer and QR code right now.” I pull out my phone and open my email app. “Do you want to write the text message, Bree?”

“No, I’ve already done so much. You take the lead on this one.” Bree gives me a toothy smile that makes me want to puke.

“Exactly what—” I bite my tongue—hard, to keep from finishing that sentence. “I’d love to.” I glance up at Mrs. Landry. “I’ll work on the text at lunch and send everything to you before the end of the school day.”

“Sounds great. Thanks for your hard work, girls. Here are your hall passes for class.” Bree stands, taking hers, but I stay in my seat.

“Do you have some time? I have something personal I’d like to talk to you about,” I ask Mrs. Landry. I can feel Bree’s glare, trying to bore a hole into the back of my head.

“Sure. I don’t have another appointment until next period.” She looks past me to Bree. “You can go, Miss Chandler.”

“If this is about the fundraiser, I should be a part of the conversation.”

“It’s not. It’s something personal.” I don’t bother to turn around.

“Fine.” Bree huffs, walking out, but she leaves the door open.

“Is it okay if I close the door?” I ask.

“Of course.” Mrs. Landry nods.

28. Will You?

Hannah doesn’t make it back to class until the middle of economics. She drops a note on my desk as she sits in front of me. Mrs. Garcia has the front lights off because she has graphs up on the overhead, so I can open it without getting caught.

Everything’s good. Mrs. Landry wanted to congratulate us on the craft fair and the money we’ve raised.

I pass the note to Jack so he can read it. He writes on it and passes it back.

Congratulate Hannah. Bree didn’t do anything but cause problems as usual.

I chuckle and nod.

I forgot my chemistry notebook, so after econ, I run to my locker. When I turn down B hall, Bree is leaning against my locker, waiting for me. Not what I want to deal with right now. I contemplate leaving the notebook and heading to class, but I need to finish the last couple of questions from the lab. Bree notices me when I’m almost to my locker.

“Hey,” she says, standing up straight.

“Hey.” I open my locker and pull my notebook out, then shut it.

“Are you going to say anything about Saturday night?” Bree asks.

I have plenty to say, but none of it is nice. I scratch the back of my head. “Not really.”

“I’m sorry for the way I acted. I just really wanted to hang out with you like old times.” Bree shrugs.

“Things have changed. I’ve changed. I’m not the same guy I was last year.”

“Yeah, I realize that now.”

“That’s good.” I turn to leave, but Bree grabs my arm.

“I think we’d have a great time together at the Winter Formal this Saturday. Will you be my date?”

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