Page 32 of Isabella and the Slipper

“Good. I know you’ll get this one.” She held such hope in her eyes that his guilt once again bubbled up.

“I hope so,” he said truthfully.

She ruffled his hair and grinned at him. “Who’re you texting?”

“Just a friend.”

His mother gave him one of those I-don’t-like-you-keeping-secrets-from-me faces, so he clarified.

“A girl from school.”

“Oh.” Her grin turned into something else. “I see. Don’t stay up too late texting her.”

“I won’t.”

“And take a vitamin. Your sister has a fever, and I don’t want you getting it.” His mother picked up a stuffed animal from the floor and headed down the hallway toward his sister’s room.

He turned his attention back to his phone.

I’m fine. Audition tomorrow. What are you doing?

Just a test in third period. Nothing exciting.

Maybe he could figure out who she was if he could pin down one of her classes.

What do you have third period?

Her answer came quickly.

Wouldn’t you like to know?

Yes! I would!

Ha. Sorry. Nice try, though.

Aren’t you tired of driving me crazy?

No.

Chase chuckled and crossed his feet. He would get her to tell him eventually.

Can’t wait for the game on Friday. Will you be there?

No.

Why not?

I’ll probably have to work.

Okay. I’ll be thinking of you, Five.

Yeah, right. Lol.

He sent her a smiley emoji to keep things light, but things were more complicated than that. He did have a crush on her. Every time they chatted, he felt like he got a little closer to knowing who she was. Maybe not her name, but who she was on the inside.

He sighed and went into the kitchen to take the vitamin he’d promised his mother. He didn’t want to get sick before the game.

Chapter 10

---