Page 60 of Fall Fake-Out

Ari

Apparently, I’m eating lunch with Wade in the cafeteria today in front of the entire school.

Reese

Public cafeteria lunch is bold.

Ari

Tell me about it!

Liv

Don’t make it weird.

Reese

Yes. Important advice. You’re both teachers at the school. Act normal. Do just enough to sell it.

Liv

Exactly. No theatrics.

Reese

No more sitting in his lap.

I have to stifle my laugh so the students don’t know I’m texting during class. My eyes glance to the clock. Five minutes before the bell rings.

A few students are already finishing their quizzes and slumping in their chairs with the dramatic exhaustion only teenagers can achieve after fifteen multiple-choice questions.

Ari

I have to go collect quizzes before class is over.

Liv

Good luck on your lunch date.

Reese

When I get to Autumn Ridge later this week, we should all go out so I can hear all the updates.

I give a thumbs-up then lock my phone and slide it face down beside the papers, glancing at the clock again.

Lunch with Wade Stevenson in front of half the student body in five minutes feels a little daunting, but I’m going to take my friends’ advice.

No theatrics.

I’m going to do just enough to sell it in front of Ashtyn.

But even with my plan in place, I can’t deny my nerves.

I remind myself there’s nothing to be nervous about.

This is all fake.

Wade