Page 18 of It's in the Contract
“I like how you talk to me,” I blurt before thinking about it. Where did that even come from?
Zeke looks up, and his warm expression reduces some of my embarrassment. “Oh yeah? How’s that?”
“Like I’m just me,” I hurry to explain. “Everyone at school, with the exception of my closest friends, is either in awe of me or they hate me. They’re all just waiting for me to make a mistakeso they can take a pic and leak it to gossip media.” I take a breath. I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone this before. “You just treat me like I’m me. Callie.” Now I sound like a drunk toddler.
Zeke’s eyes soften. “That sounds really hard. I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
I can’t remember the last time someone empathized with me like this. People assume that fame and popularity are these glorious, wonderful things. Too often they forget about the pressure that comes with them. They forget that I didn’t choose for my dad to be a movie star, for the world’s eyes to be upon us.
“Thank you.” This weird heat creeps up into my cheeks. “Why are you always alone?” I ask. “You’re new here, right?”
Zeke nods. “My family moves a lot. My dad’s a surgeon in the military, and he’s got base camps that make us move every year or so. We’ll be moving again at the end of the semester.” Zeke studies the notebook page full of equations in front of him. “Sometimes it feels like it’s not worth it to make friends, if I’m being honest. I already know they have an expiration date. But chemistry on the other hand?—”
“People can keep in touch online,” I say. “You must have friends all over.”
Zeke’s lips press into a thin line. “You’d think that.”
I turn to the chemistry book. Zeke explains the next problem, and I try to follow along even though it hurts my brain.
“There must be loads of people who like Dungeons and Dragons, video games, and whatever other stuff you like,” I say. “There’s probably more nerdy people at our school than there are trendy kids, if I’m being honest.” I smile. “If you tried, I know you could make friends.”
Zeke doesn’t look up from the problem. “Not going to happen, but thanks.”
Suddenly I hear footsteps. Someone is coming this way.Callie Carter’s too stupid to get through school by herself. Two weeks in and she’s already failing her classes.
The footsteps are getting closer.
“Zeke, someone’s coming.” The fear must show on my face because Zeke looks at me with a worried frown.
The footsteps are getting even closer, along with giggling voices. I think I recognize one . . .Oh no.It’s Brielle. How? Why did it have to be her?
Zeke glances from me to the direction of the shelves, and recognition registers on his face. “C’mon, quick!” Zeke gestures to a tiny janitorial closet off to the side.
Zeke stands and jerks open the closet door. I let out a tiny breath of relief that it’s unlocked and hurry to follow him inside. He rushes into the closet, and I cram myself in after him.
In hindsight, he probably should’ve stayed out there, because it’s super crowded in here. Like,reallycrowded.
We’re jammed in alongside a few brooms and shelves full of cleaning products. A broom handle is stabbing me in the ribs. Zeke’s body is fully pressed against mine. I shove us in a little tighter and manage to pull the door closed just as Brielle lets out a loud laugh. A musty scent overpowers my nose, and I think I’m stepping in a puddle of mop water.
“It’s going to be okay,” Zeke whispers.
The reassurance is so sweet that it makes my heart do a weird little flip. I catch a whiff of Zeke’s scent. He smells nice—like sandalwood or cedar . . . maybe pine? I can’t quite place it.
“Are you wearing Versace Eros cologne?” I whisper. “No . . . that’s not quite right.”
In the dim light, I see Zeke blink. “What?”
My nose brushes Zeke’s chin, and I jerk away, bumping the back of my head onto a shelf.
“What was that?” Katrina asks. Footsteps get closer to our hiding spot.
Zeke and I freeze, and I’m barely breathing.
“Probably a mouse,” Brielle responds.
The handle of the closet rattles, and I hold my breath.
“I don’t think it was a mouse . . .” Katrina says. “And why would someone leave all their stuff here?”
