Chapter 21

The gymnasium was abuzz with voices, stomping feet, and the twang of the antiquated PA, hissing and balking at being used.

“Can I have your attention?” the principal yelled over the din.

The noise level dropped but didn’t go away.

Nick sat with Emily, Gary, and Tiffany. While they waited for the gymnasium to fill, Nick drank from his fortified water bottle.

Emily wrinkled her nose. “What are you drinking?”

“Vitamin water.” Already he began to feel the warmth spread through his body.

“It smells strong,” Emily said with a frown. She leaned closer for a better smell, but Nick stowed it in his pack.

As people walked by, they were jostled and poked. One poke was harder than necessary, and he turned to see Bryan.

“Sorry, didn’t see you,” Bryan said with a fake look of sincerity.

“I’m sure you didn’t,” Nick said.

Emily took his hand and squeezed.

“Everyone, take a seat!” the principal urged. “Let’s get started.”

The cheerleaders took the floor and began a chant. “Go Laketon! Go Laketon! Beat River View!”

Emily clapped along with them and stamped her feet. Today she was shod in red-sequined sneakers and mismatched green and turquoise socks.

“Go! Go! Victory!” She pumped her fist in the air. “Come on!” she urged Nick. “Get in the spirit!”

The pep band played along with the cheerleaders. They were barely audible over the din in the gymnasium.

Nick and Gary bumped fists and managed a few claps before the principal said, “I’d like to introduce the senior class president, Marco Berg! He’ll take it from here.”

Marco had been standing to the side and ran to the principal and took the microphone. “Let’s make some noise, Laketon High!”

Tiffany screamed and jumped up. Emily too. Nick and Gary looked at each other with raised brows and remained seated.

“How come they don’t cheer this loud for the football team?” Gary asked, adding his customary tweet-whistle at the end of his question.

Nick shrugged. “Beats me.”

“Homecoming candidates.” Marco took a piece of paper from his pocket. He read the names of the freshman candidates, and they came out of the bleachers and joined him on the floor. “Now the sophomore candidates.” They too stood, waiting. “The junior candidates.”

All Nick heard was their names—he and Emily had been nominated, Gary and Tiffany too. Fortified somewhat by the vodka, he stood and pumped his fist in the air as he followed Emily to the gymnasium floor.

Nick looked up, sweeping his eyes over the mostly familiar faces until he saw Cat. Even in the crowded bleachers, she sat alone, about halfway up with her back to the wall, but her head turned, facing them, a shadow in the light.

He thrust his hands deep into his front pockets and looked away.

Emily’s eyes sparkled, and she grabbed his arm and smiled. “Aren’t you excited?”

He nodded. “Of course.” But his words were overtaken by the roar and clapping from the crowd.

When they returned to their seats, Bryan was holding Nick’s water bottle and was unscrewing the top. “Whoa! Reverend. That’s some strong shit in there.”

Nick grabbed the bottle back. “Did you go through my backpack?” He shoved Bryan, making him stumble.

Bryan jumped up, his fists ready to punch.

“Nick?” Emily asked, “What’s going on?” She maneuvered her way between Nick and Bryan.

“Nothing! He had no right to go through my things.”

But already several teachers were heading toward them. Nick tried to put the bottle away when the principal started climbing toward them.

“Nick? Bryan?” the principal asked. “Problems?”

“I think you should check his water bottle,” Bryan said. “I smell alcohol.”

“Is that true?” the principal asked.

“Just some vitamins I put in my water,” Nick said, feeling a flush creep up from his neck to face.

The principal held out his palm for the bottle, and reluctantly, Nick handed it over.

The principal unscrewed the top and sniffed. “I think we should finish this in the office.” And with cement-leaded feet, Nick trudged toward the office.

What he wouldn’t give to pop Bryan in the mouth right now.

Once in the office, the principal indicated Nick should sit. “Now tell me what happened.”

“Excuse me!” Cat said, trying to ease around the secretary who was standing at the principal’s door.

“You can’t just barge in!” The secretary huffed.

“But that’s my water bottle,” Cat said. “Nick was holding it for me.”

“Yours?” He turned toward Nick. “Who’s telling the truth here?”

“I am,” Cat said.

“Are you sure that’s your bottle?” the principal asked, frowning at Cat. “You’re fairly new here, aren’t you?”

She nodded.

“I hate to do this, but I’m suspending you for two days, and I’ll need to have a conference with your parents.”

“Sure!” Cat said, her eyes downcast, studying the floor.

“Nick, you’re free to go.”

“But…”

“No, I’ll handle it from here,” the principal said and closed his office door.

Nick stood in the office for a few beats, unsure of what to do now. It wasn’t right for Cat to take the fall for him. Why did she do that?

Emily waited for him by his next class. “What happened?” She peered up at him.

“Cat said it was her bottle.”

“She lied for you?”

Nick remained quiet.

“That bitch!”