Chapter 111 *

Chapter 111 Chapter 111
Angelina’s POV
I kept my expression neutral. "Why?"
"I have no idea." Logan shrugged. "He's acting weird. Usually he doesn't care about my friends. But he was really insistent about you coming."
Mia looked at me. "That's kind of strange, right?"
"Maybe." I started walking again. "What time?"
"Seven PM. At our house." Logan fell into step beside me. "It's gonna be super boring though. Just a bunch of old business dudes talking about money."
"I'll be there."
Logan blinked. "Really? You actually want to come?"
"I said I'll be there."
"Okay. Cool." He still looked confused. "I just don't get why my dad wants you there so bad."
Silas grinned. "Maybe he thinks Aria's a good influence on you."
"Shut up."
We reached the lockers. I opened mine. Grabbed my geography textbook. The bell rang. First period.
"I gotta go," Mia said. She grabbed her bag. "See you guys at lunch."
She hurried down the hallway.
Logan and Silas headed the opposite direction. Toward the gym.
I walked to my first period class.
The cafeteria was loud during lunch. Students everywhere. Lines at the food counter. Groups sitting at their usual tables.
I grabbed a tray. Got in line behind some sophomore girls.
They were talking about Winter Formal. I tuned them out.
Got my food. Pizza. Apple. Water bottle.
Walked to our usual table in the corner.
Mia was already there. So was Silas. Logan showed up a minute later.
He dropped his tray on the table. Slumped into his chair.
"I'm gonna be eating cafeteria pizza every day now." He stared at his food like it had personally offended him. "Every single day. And you know what? It was fine when I ate it once in a while. Like, occasionally it was even kind of good. But now? Knowing this is my only option? It tastes like depression."
Silas was eating the same pizza. "Bro, the rest of us eat cafeteria food every day."
"That's different. You guys are used to it." Logan picked up a slice. Made a face. "I had a personal chef."
Mia rolled her eyes. "Oh poor baby. Welcome to normal people life."
"I'm serious! This pizza is like cardboard with cheese."
"Then don't eat it," I said.
Logan took a bite anyway. Chewed miserably.
Silas grinned. "You're so dramatic."
"My life is falling apart!"
"Because you have to eat cafeteria pizza?"
"It's symbolic!"
Mia laughed. Shook her head. Went back to eating her salad.
I bit into my pizza. It wasn't great.
Logan finished his slice. Reached for his water bottle.
"My dad's dinner is gonna be so boring," he said. "Just a bunch of old business dudes talking about money."
"You said that already," Mia pointed out.
"Because it's true!"
Silas leaned forward. "Wait, why is Aria invited? No offense, but that's weird."
"No idea." Logan shrugged. "He was really insistent about it though."
Mia looked at me. "Do you know why?"
I took another bite of pizza. Chewed. Swallowed.
"Business reasons probably."
All three of them stared at me.
"Business reasons?" Silas repeated. "What does that mean?"
"It means business."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only answer you're getting."
Logan frowned. "Do you know my dad? Like, before the lake house?"
"No."
Logan still looked confused. But he didn't push.
Silas opened his chocolate milk. "Well, at least the food will be good."
"Yeah, that's true." Logan's expression brightened slightly. "My dad always hires the best caterers for these things."
"See? Free expensive food. That's worth sitting through boring business talk."
"I guess."
The conversation shifted. Mia started talking about the math quiz on Friday.
I finished my pizza. Drank my water.
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out.
Text from Victor Wu.
Victor: Preliminary agreement is finalized. Meridian signed this morning. We're moving forward with the pilot program.
I typed back quickly.
Me: Good. Keep me updated.
Victor: Will do. See you Saturday at the dinner.
I put my phone away.
"What was that?" Mia asked.
"What?"
"Your phone. You had a weird expression."
"I did not."
"You kind of did," Silas agreed.
"It was nothing. Just a text."
"From who?"
"None of your business."
Silas grinned. "Was it from Graham?"
My jaw tightened. "No."
"Are you sure? Because you look—"
"It wasn't from Graham."
"Okay okay." He held up both hands. "I believe you."
The bell rang. Lunch was over.
Everyone grabbed their trays. Headed to dump them.
I walked toward my next class. Algebra. The math classroom was warm.
Ms. Wilson had the heater on high. Even though it wasn't that cold outside.
Students filed in slowly. Some still chewing food from lunch.
Logan stumbled in last. His eyes were half-closed. He went straight to his desk. Dropped his bag on the floor.
Sat down. Put his head on the desk.
I took my seat two rows behind him.
Ms. Wilson was writing equations on the board. Her back to the class.
"Alright everyone, get out your homework from last week."
Rustling sounds as people dug through their bags.
I pulled out my homework. Set it on my desk.
Looked at Logan. He hadn't moved.
Ms. Wilson turned around. Started walking through the aisles. Collecting homework.
She reached Logan's desk. Stopped. Logan was completely still. His breathing was even. He was asleep.
Ms. Wilson stood there for a moment. Just looking at him.
Then she reached out. Knocked on his desk with her knuckles.
"Mr. Pierce."
Nothing.
She knocked again. Harder. "Logan. Wake up."
Logan's head moved slightly. A small groan.
"Logan."
His head came up slowly. Eyes barely open. "Huh? What?"
He blinked. Saw Ms. Wilson standing there.
His eyes went wide. "Oh... sorry."
He sat up. Wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. There was drool on his cheek.
Ms. Wilson's expression was stern. "I need you awake and paying attention. Logan."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"See me after class."
Logan's face fell. "Yes ma'am."
Ms. Wilson walked away. Continued collecting homework.
Around the room, a few people were smirking. Trying not to laugh.
Silas turned in his seat. Looked at me. Mouthed: "He's so screwed."
Ms. Wilson finished collecting papers. Went to the front of the room.
"Today we're continuing with quadratic equations."
She started writing on the board.
Logan was sitting up now. But his eyes kept closing. His head would start to drop. Then he'd jerk awake.
This happened three times.
The third time, Ms. Wilson turned around and caught him.
"Logan!"
His head snapped up. "I'm awake!"
"You need to splash water on your face or something. This is ridiculous."
"Sorry. I'm just really tired."
"That's not my problem."
She went back to teaching.
Logan pulled out his phone. Started typing something under his desk.
Ms. Wilson didn't notice. She was focused on the board.
My phone buzzed a minute later.
Text from Logan: I'm dying. Actually dying.
I didn't respond.
Another text: Wilson's gonna kill me after class.
I put my phone away.
The rest of the period passed slowly.
Ms. Wilson went through example problems. Called on students randomly.
She didn't call on Logan. Probably figured he wouldn't know the answer anyway.
Finally the bell rang.
Everyone started packing up. Heading for the door.
Logan stayed in his seat. Waiting.
Ms. Wilson sat at her desk. "Logan, come here please."
He grabbed his bag. Walked up to her desk.
Ten minutes later, Logan walked out. Found me waiting in the hallway.
"That sucked," he said.
"You fell asleep in class."
"I know! I couldn't help it. I've been staying up late trying to figure out my money situation."
We started walking toward the next building.
Silas and Mia caught up with us.
"So what happened?" Silas asked.
"Lunch detention tomorrow. And I have to stay after school Friday."
"That sucks."
"Yeah." Logan sighed. "At least she didn't call my dad. That would be worse."
"Would she even call him?" Mia asked. "You're in high school."
"I don't know. Maybe. My dad's pretty involved with the school. Donations and stuff."
"Donations he can't take back," Silas pointed out.
"True."
We reached the science building. Split up to go to our different classes.

Friday after school, I walked through the front door of my house.
Usually, the place was quiet at this time. Mom would still be at the restaurant. Dad would be at the pack doing whatever menial tasks they assigned him.
But today, both of them were home.
Grace was in the kitchen. She turned when she heard me come in. Her face lit up.
"Aria! You're home!"
Her voice was different. Excited. Happy in a way I hadn't heard in a while.
Nathan was sitting at the kitchen table. He was wearing his good shirt. The one he usually saved for pack meetings.
I dropped my backpack by the stairs. "Why are you both home?"
"Come sit down, sweetie." Grace pulled out a chair for me. "We have good news!"