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“In that case, there’s a simple solution,” I state, suppressing the need to come closer. “Show them. Five minutes with you and they’ll know they have a genius mind they could use.”
This isn’t bullshit I’m throwing at her. Ana is brilliant.
“You’re being nice. Why?”
“I’m always nice.” That elicits a well-earned snort.
Guilt percolates my system because nice is stretching the matter. After my disastrous first impression, I’ve mostly ignored Ana.
“I’m not being nice, I’m being accurate,” I say casually, looking away from her sharp scrutiny. “It’s not like I’m organizing an official meeting with the faculty advisor or anything. Maybe I could go to the school to chat about recruitment for the university. I’ve done that for high schools in the area. It will count as student worker hours for the Engineering Department.”
“Worker hours? How many jobs do you have?”
“That one isn’t a job. It’s a condition for my tuition remission.”
She’s shaking her head, unconvinced my plan will work.
“It won’t look like I’m helping you at all,” I continue. “You just happened to be with me because we’re friends. Your brother and my aunt are together. You’ll walk in with me, meet the faculty advisor, and earn some street cred with the kids.”
“You’ve got that much sway?”
“Over a group of kids, sure.”
“Why are you doing this for me? You’re always busy. Spending an afternoon with a high school robotics club is a waste of your time.”
Before I can stop myself, my mouth expresses what my brain fails to deny. “I’ll always have time for you, Ana.”
“I’ll stick around to answer questions. Here are some pamphlets to bring home. The department’s contact information is at the back.”
I’ve concluded my recruitment speech for the Dunnville High School robotics club. Applause is followed by the sound of shuffled papers and shoved chairs.
The faculty advisor is a youngish teacher, maybe early thirties. It only took me one email to secure her enthusiastic invitation. And although Ana is not officially part of the club, I walked in with her.
“That was incredible, Bryce.”
“Thanks, Ms. Hall.”
“I told you to call me Piper,” she says chirpily, poking my upper arm. “You make me sound old.”
“Sorry. Yeah, thanks, Piper.”
“So, what are you doing now? Heading home or back to campus?” she flutters her heavily caked lashes.
I don’t answer right away because I’m distracted by Ana being approached by a boy and a girl. Although I can’t hear what they’re saying, their body language indicates interest. Ana nods, hair bobbing and dimples on full display. Good. She’s in.
“Bryce?” The teacher has taken a step closer, the chemical smell of her hair products so strong my eyes water.
“Oh, um, sorry yeah. What did you say?”
“I thought if you’re not busy right now, maybe we can grab a coffee. I’d love to pick your brain about the upcoming competition. I took over the club last year, so I have almost no experience.” She’s shimmying her shoulders back and forth. I know because I’m looking over them to watch Ana.
“Sorry, I can’t. I might have to take Ana home.”
That was a lie. Ana can easily get herself home. She drives one of her brother’s SUVs, since her dream car is still under repair. But I did plan to head to their place to, you know, say hi to my aunt. Score an afternoon snack. The usual.
Ana looks our way and tilts her head, a silent request for me to head over. I shouldn’t be so pleased about being summoned, but of course I am.
“Shawna and Arthur want to meet you,” she says as I approach.
