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The bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. I grab my bag and follow Jade and Nigel out of the lunchroom. I need to take Jade’s warnings seriously and remain focused. As I walk away, I resist the overwhelming urge to look back at the twins.

Chapter Three

Jade warned me about Nigel and how he takes his job as being editor of the paper seriously on the walk over to the newsroom. Everyone is whispering about the twins’ return to New Ocean Prep, and the rumors are swirling. Nigel is a journalist at heart, so, of course, he wants the real story behind what happened between the three of them. And secretly, so do I—although it makes my stomach twinge.

The idea of talking to Maison again bothers me. Flirting with me and then Serena, he clearly knows how to charm girls. I am feeling quite annoyed with myself for the way I reacted to him, acting like I was a star-struck fan girl. I acted the same way with Chris when he started paying attention to me last year, the same flutter in my stomach and everything.

Maison’s relationship status and how he can be in the same room with Micah after what happened is a mystery to me. Something else is going on, and Nigel has good reason to suspect something a lot more sinister happened.

Nigel walks a few feet ahead of us and turns to look at Jade before we enter the classroom. Arching a brow, she gives him an encouraging nod. He only became editor this year, now that he is a senior, and I sense perhaps a bit of insecurity—although I suspect he’s just as ostentatious as everyone else at this school.

They seem close, and I wonder if there is more happening between them. She gave him sidelong glances and centered the surrounding conversation around him when we weren’t gossiping about the twins. She probably tries to make him shine every chance she gets, and he clearly takes her for granted.

I’ll flatter him just the same if I need to, since he seems to react positively to praise. His eyes glaze toward mine, and he adjusts his bow tie as we walk toward the wide-eyed newspaper team.

The U-shaped table in the classroom is already full, mostly with people we sat with at lunch. Everyone still stares, though. I take a seat beside Jade, who sits directly next to Nigel.

Unlike the rest of the bright school, this room is windowless and dark.

Their chatter continues, and no one pays him much notice as Nigel stands at the front and opens his computer. A big screen with a calendar is displayed behind him. Jade pulls out her notebook and a pencil and taps at it, staring down at a blank page, looking bright-eyed and hopeful.

For the first time since arriving, butterflies fill my stomach, enjoying the buzz of energy around me. Being a part of something bigger than myself is exciting, a dream I’ve suppressed. This newspaper is the silver lining of a very dark storm. Writing excites me more than dancing ever did over the last four years.

No one pays Nigel much notice as he tries to look all big and important. The table fills quickly, and Nigel clears his throat.

“Everyone, it’s time to start,” he says, rapping his knuckles on the table before him.

They ignore him.

He coughs, straightens his bow tie, and rubs the sweat off his neck as if his nerves are getting the better of him, despite his false, confident exterior. “Enough,” he yells out loud enough that I bet neighboring classes can hear.

He swallows hard and regains his composure, grazing over the group and over to me like he’s trying to prove something.

“We need to get started. We have a lot of planning and events to cover this year. Our first issue comes out in one month, people, so this isn’t social hour.”

The long-haired guy across from me speaks. “Hey Nigel, relax, man. We’re all just catching up.”

Nigel slams his pencil on the table harder than necessary. He’s uptight, for sure, an edge hidden below the surface marring his polished aesthetic.

“I’m in charge this year,” he spits. “And I’m sick of the lazy work this paper produces. I want exceptional stories on my watch, not mediocrity, so leave now if you’re not here to do your best. Do you all hear me?”

Silence.

“Good.”

He picks up his pencil and shoots me a look, and to my relief, his face softens. “We have a new member of our club. Everyone who hasn’t met her yet, this is London.”

He glances down at a sheet of paper, at what I am assuming is my student profile.

“London, what’s your experience in journalism? It looks to me like you belong in a gym prancing around in spandex, not here doing real work.”

I bite my lip and try to suppress the blushing in my face as the room gives out a collective chuckle and stares at me. He had all lunch hour to ask me this, yet he chooses now? Jade softly nudges me.

“I’m new, yes, but I bet I can write as well as anyone else here.”

I’m not exactly sure if that’s true, but I will pretend. I’ll die pretending until I get what I want.

Nigel folds his arms. “Well, you need to catch up. I don’t have time to teach you anything.”