Page 58 of Fall Fake-Out

FOURTH period is weirdly peaceful.

Twenty-four students sit bent over quizzes while the soft scratch of pencils fills the room. Somebody keeps sniffing like they’re getting over a cold. One kid in the back taps his shoe against the desk leg in a rhythm that’s slowly driving me insane, but overall, I’d consider this a win, compared to the full-court press about Wade that I’ve been getting at the beginning of every period all day long.

I don’t blame the kids for wanting answers, but the quiz is a nice reprieve from all the nosiness. I sit behind my desk with my phone hidden beside a stack of quizzes waiting to be graded.

Ari

Happy birthday, Reese! I hope you’re doing something fun today to celebrate. Wish we could be with you, but I guess we’ll see you this weekend.

Liv

Yeah, Reese, it’s too bad you’re not in Autumn Ridge with Ari and me. Or maybe I should say be grateful that you’re not here yet.

After years of living away, I can’t believe the three of us moved home at the same time. Actually, I don’t know if I’d say Liv moved home. More like a scary stalker forced her here. And Reese has some messy family drama dragging her back to Autumn Ridge too. We’re all kind of disasters at the moment, but at least we have each other.

Liv and Reese have been my best friends since we were kids. They say three’s a crowd, but not with us. We share everything with each other, which naturally means they already know about Wade, the football game, my mom’s pressures, and how that led to the fake-dating scheme.

I have years of experience proving I can trust them with my secrets.

Unlike the rest of the people in this town, they actually know how to keep one.

Reese

Sadly, I’m not doing anything fun for my birthday. Just finalizing everything for my big move back to Autumn Ridge later this week.

Liv

You should at least get a maple donut bar to celebrate turning twenty-seven.

Ari

Are you nervous you’re going to run into Dom once you get here? I’ve already seen him a few times at church. It’s inevitable in a small town like this.

Reese

I’m absolutely dreading it. Things will be so uncomfortable between us.

A smile pulls at my mouth. Only Reese Berkeley could describe her traumatic college dating experience as “uncomfortable,” as if she’s talking about something as ordinary as the weather.

My phone buzzes again.

Liv

Okay, but I want to know from Ari how bad school has been today after your little bleacher scandal?

I sigh.

Ari

Humiliating.

I mean, I can handle a lot from my parents, my peers, from this town, but from my students, it feels rough.

Reese

DETAILS.

Ari