Chapter 13 HARPER
“You’re thirty minutes late to my class,” Mr. Herbert announced to Tyler as he waltzed into our history classroom looking clearly unbothered. “Where have you been, young lad?”
Tyler paused, glancing around the classroom until his eyes landed on me. “Got caught up in the library.” And then he started toward me.
A part of me leaped nervously as I thought he was coming to sit beside me, since I usually sat alone. But when he reached my seat, one look at the space beside me, and he turned, finding his way down to the back seats. I cussed, then frowned, surprised at my feeling of disappointment. Suffering his tantrums at his home was already enough. Why would I want him to sit beside me then?
Mr. Herbert was about to resume his lessons on World War 1 alliances—how one small spark dragged entire nations into conflict—when Tyler’s best friend walked in next. He seemed to be in an equally foul mood as Tyler, and unlike Tyler, who still had a shred of courtesy, Peter completely ignored Mr. Herbert’s question about his whereabouts and went straight to him.
“You know, when we say we’re ‘best friends,’ it means we have each other’s back no matter what. I can’t believe you let me get detention when you know I’m trying to wipe my slate clean before I get thrown off the team.”
The class fell silent, all eyes now fixed on the two boys. Even Mr. Herbert looked more entertained than annoyed. The only person acting like nothing had happened was Tyler. He raised his hand and rose to his feet.
“Based on the topic on the board—World War 1 and alliances—I just want to be sure I’m getting this right. If one country was struggling during the war, weren’t their allies supposed to keep them informed and offer support however they could, not cut them off and leave them in the dark? Correct me if I’m wrong, sir.”
“Precisely, yes—”
“Except,” Peter cut in, “sometimes allies refused to get involved because they were dragged into conflicts they never wanted in the first place.”
Mr. Herbert tilted his head. “That’s true. It’s exactly why so many leaders hesitate before signing binding treaties. Alliances look good on paper, but when things get difficult, the promises tend to crack.”
Tyler’s voice hardened, though his words stayed smooth. “Exactly. People act like alliances are all fun and games, but when the war hits, where’s the support? What’s the point of making promises if you’re just going to disappear when things get real?”
I frowned. I was struggling to keep up. Clearly, the lecture on alliances wasn’t the only war going on here. I just couldn’t figure out what Peter had done to set Tyler off, and for some reason, I was dying to know. Thankfully, I wasn’t the only one.
“What the hell are you talking about, Cap?”
Peter spat, tossing his bag onto Tyler’s desk like he was prepping for a fight. “If I’ve done something to offend you, why don’t you just go on and say so? Stop beating around the bush.”
The class went dead still again. Even my lungs felt frozen. If this turned into a fight, Tyler would definitely be at a disadvantage. One punch and Peter could send him straight to the ER, which only meant more trouble for me. I sighed.
Then Tyler stepped right into his friend’s face, his voice cool, like the threatening calm before a storm. “That’s the whole point about being best friends. If I have to spell it out, then you’re no different from the rest of them.”
A chorus of low ‘ooohs’ rippled through the room, the kind of collective reaction that meant everyone knew Tyler’s words had cut deep.
Already sensing a fight, Mr. Herbert cut through the tension, extending his arms out as a gesture for both boys to back away from each other. Neither of them moved. Everyone thought Peter was going to throw a punch, but to our surprise, he let out a strained puff of breath, grabbed his bag, and simply settled into the next seat, beside Tyler.
“Well, that’s a bummer,” Racquel muttered behind me.
I glanced back at her. Her eyes dragged from my head down and back up, before her upper lip curled as she hissed, “What’re you looking at, boyfriend snatcher?”
I jerked my head back, quickly scanning the class to see if anyone had heard, then narrowed my eyes at her. “Excuse me?”
She leaned into my face, about to say something, when Mr. Herbert beat her to it. “Enough of the distractions. Lane. Anderson. Eyes on the board.”
Rolling her eyes, she sneered at me from behind. “After class, you and me—we’ve got unfinished business.”
A chill ran down my spine. Hell, there was no way I was going to take a beating for someone I couldn’t care less about, other than professionalism. Twelve years in this school, avoiding the mean girls, and not a single bad record. I couldn’t get in trouble now because of Tyler.
Relaxing back in my seat as Mr. Herbert began writing something on the board, I whispered, hoping she could hear me
“I don’t know what you think is going on between me and Tyler, but I promise you it’s nothing other than the fact that I’m his temporary physiotherapist. Heavy on the ‘temporary,’ Racquel.”
Hot breath brushed my ear as her reply filtered through. “Shut up, and stop talking to me. If I get in trouble, you’re cooked.”
I swallowed. So much for trying.
I could hardly pay attention to the lesson after that. My mind kept conjuring up scenarios, each one worse than the last. Halfway through my anxiety, the school bell rang, signaling closing hours. Quick as a flash, I grabbed my book and ran out of the class before anyone else.
I was already in the hallway when I heard my name being called. Picking up my pace, I didn’t dare look back, clutching my books tightly. A hand latched around my arm, yanking me around.
“Jeez, Harper, where are you hurrying off to?” Cassie asked, her gaze appraising me.
“I—” I began, but the words caught in my throat as I saw Racquel and her clique emerge from the class.
As soon as her eyes landed on me, her expression turned icy.
“Cassie,” I warned, flipping her to face the fuming Racquel storming her way down the hall toward us.
“What did you do?” Cassie questioned.
“Tyler…” I managed to say, bracing myself for the confrontation.
“Okay. Play it cool.”
I took a deep breath, let go of Cassie, and tilted my chin up as the trio reached us.
“Racquel—”
She cut me off, her eyes glinting with malice. “Save it, Harper. I just need one answer from y
ou… and you’d better pray it’s the right one.”