Page 122 of Taking Sides

“I was wondering if you could help me with the geometry homework?” He holds out a hall pass to me as if proving he has permission to be out of his study period. I glance at it without taking it and nod.

“Yeah, of course.” I juggle the armful of food I’m carrying. “Mind getting the door?”

Landon turns the knob and pushes it open, then motions for me to go ahead. He follows me to the front of the room. I set my buffet of food down while he unzips his backpack and pulls out his geometry homework.

While he’s doing that, I check my phone. One new text, but not from Victor.

Conrad

Hope you’re having a good day. Back tomorrow. x

I smile at the sweet message. We’ve only exchanged a few texts since he left. Admittedly, I’ve been the one reluctant to reply. I don’t know what to say. I made this mess but I’m not sure how to fix it.

I knew they hated each other but standing there and listening to them spout the most vile things to each other was hard to stomach. Is that what it’s going to be like every time they’re in the same room together? Or worse, will I always have to choose between them? A weekend with Victor, holidays with Conrad. Keeping two of the most important people in my life separate like that just feels wrong.

I take a bite of the birthday cake, then drop the fork and reach for the chili chips. I also got beef jerky, mini cookies, and a Dr Pepper. Not a nutritious snack, but hopefully something will taste good and it’ll hold me over until tonight.

“Is there something specific you need help with?” I ask Landon as he settles into a desk in front of mine. “Or do you want to review the entire thing?”

“All of it, probably.” His grin is shaky.

“Okay.” It’s a nice distraction to teach. Two of my morning classes took quizzes, which left me with a lot of time to sit and think. This is better.

While I start at the beginning of the lesson, I watch Landon’s expression carefully. It’s harder to do with an entire class of kids, but I can see when I lose him.

“Let me try to explain it another way.” I open the cookies and pop a few in my mouth, then erase the whiteboard and start again.

Time moves faster than it has all day. I lose myself in planes and angles. When the bell rings, I’m surprised that so much time has passed and disappointed that I don’t have longer to help him.

“Does that make sense?”

“Yeah.” Landon’s head bobs quickly as he bends over his paper, writing frantically. When he looks up, he’s smiling. It’s such a small but refreshing thing to see him looking happy. “Thank you.”

“Yeah, of course.” I feel like I should thank him. It’s the lightest I’ve felt all day. “If you get stuck again, let me know.”

“I will.” He packs up his stuff and stands. Out in the hallway, students are heading to their lockers or their next class.

Landon lingers.

“Was there something else?”

“I also wanted to thank you for . . .” He trails off and his cheeks tinge red.

“You’re welcome.” I haven’t been sure how to handle it. If I should bring it up or if that would only embarrass him. “How is everything?”

“Good.” He bobs his head. Then amends his answer. “Okay. I’m staying with Grady for now. He got some sort of special permission to let me live with him, so I didn’t have to go to another home out of the school district. The social worker said she’ll try to find a new placement in Moonshot but . . .” He shrugs. “Anyway, thanks for being so cool about it.”

“You’re a good kid, Landon. I didn’t do anything that others wouldn’t have.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Coach Whit.”

The words make my stomach churn. He’s right. Of course he is. I hate that he’s had to live through so much in his short life.

“I better get to my next class.”

I nod and force a smile. “And I better finish my lunch.”

His brows pull together as he stares at what’s left of my snacks. “That’s a strange combination of food, Coach Whit.”