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That was annoyingly perceptive.

“And Rook,” he added.

“What about him?” I asked.

“Girls who actually hook up with Rook don’t call him mean.”

Sadie considered that. “What do they call him?”

Micah’s mouth twisted. “Usually?” He waited just long enough. “Asshole.”

I laughed.

“Whoever wrote it knows enough to sound like they know everybody,” Micah continued. “Doesn’t mean they do.”

“You’ve given this a lot of thought.”

“I’ve been called the prettiest Bishop since seven-thirty this morning.”

“Fight us,” Sadie said.

Micah hit the ball directly into the fence in front of her.

It struck with a metallic bang. Sadie didn’t flinch.

I almost doubled over laughing.

Behind Micah, his opponent straightened.

“Hey, pretty boy.”

The next serve sounded violent.

Sadie and I stayed too long. Micah was being very entertaining.

By the time we got back inside, the late bell had already rung.

That should have made us hurry. Instead Sadie decided she needed the bathroom.

I think she kind of enjoyed pushing things. Time limits. People.

By the time we came out, we were fifteen minutes late and finally moving with purpose.

We turned into the administrative hallway and nearly walked straight into Vice Principal Vale.

She stopped.

So did we.

Her eyes moved from Sadie to me, then to the empty hallway behind us.

“Ladies.”

She gave me a small nod. “Hazel.”

“Ms. Vale.”

“Shouldn’t you be in class?”