Page 48 of A Disaster in Three Acts

Holden shrugs. “I like video games.”

“Are you any good?”

“I saidgoodbye, Victor.” I try to shoo him away, but he just leans against the desk on my free side. He needs to get out of here before he reveals my story editing so far. Plus, it just feels weird for this world to collide with that world. These two should never meet.

Victor locks eyes with me so I know his question is for me alone. “What are you up to next weekend?”

“Filming.”

“With me,” Holden adds, drawing Victor’s attention. “In New York.”

“New York.Expensive place.” Victor tilts his head to the side thoughtfully. “Just the two of you?”

“Apparently.” Holden still hasn’t told me himself that Taj isn’t going along and I’m kind of afraid to broach the subject myself.

Victor opens his mouth to say something else, but Holden’s dad and Dr. Lee appear from the annex and cut him off.

“Hey, Holden.” His dad wraps him into a one-armed hug and I wonder how long it’s been since they saw each other last. I wonder if there are warm fuzzies between them, or static electricity. “You’ve met Dr. Lee, right?”

She smiles, her charcoal curls bouncing in a nonexistent breeze. “He was about half the size he is now.”

Holden shakes her hand. “Nice to see you again.”

Dr. Lee nods at Victor. “Hello, Victor.”

“Hi.” He puts his jacket on. “I was just headed to the library.”

“Oh, can I join you?” she asks, putting the hood of her raincoat up.

They disappear into the stairwell, taking all of Victor’s prodding questions with them, and leave me with two of the Michaels guys. Something that hasn’t happened in several years.

“Are you ready?” Professor Michaels asks Holden.

“Yeah.”

I grab my jacket and bag from behind the desk, taking my time so it doesn’t seem like I’m joining them, which, apparently, would not be a problem, if you ask Professor Michaels.

“Did you want to come along, Saine?” He pushes his glasses up his nose. “We’re getting food and taking it to Trev—”

“She’s busy,” Holden says. “She has volunteering to do.”

I slip my arms into my jacket. “He’s right.” But the quick rejection still stings. I don’t know if it’s me or his dad or Trevor, but Holden’s trying to keep something to himself and I hate not knowing.

“Oh, that’s too bad.” Professor Michaels frowns. “I guess not for whoever you’re helping, though. I’ll see you soon.”

“Tell Trevor I say hi, please.”

Holden nods, his shoulders stiff as he turns to the stairs. “Sure. Bye, Saine.”

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