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One corner of histo work?"

I don’t bother hidinglike an idiot when someone callsat me

I blink, and when Mom’s eyes flick to ht you were out of town"

"My ot pushed until next week, so your mother and I decided to attend the party after all"

"Oh" That’s all I say Oh

It’s Dad alks over to introduce hi inabout to crash and burn because this was never supposed to happen That was my one rule I’ve let Silas bend and break every other one in my life, but these torlds were supposed to stay separate

"Richard Brenner,"his hand out to shake

I don’t know if Silas is freaked-out by this I can’t bring myself to look at him But he returns my father’s handshake and says, "Silas Moore"

I see Moine what condescending thoughts are going through her head She thinks I’m supposed to be with Henry That we’re a perfect couple, and I should just wait for hiht, but not like this Not with Silas there to take half the fall We’re temporary We’re si else

He is not the et spooked and run

"Silas," hter?"

I answer for him "We’ve met once or twice at school"

I hope they’ll leave it at that But Dad has a freakishly good memory

"Your name sounds familiar," my father says "Do you have any fah, one of those laughs that clearly aren’t about so funny But I still can’t look at him

"No, sir I’m on the football team Maybe that’s it"

Dad’s eyebrows rise "The Rusk football tea back"

Now Dad’s eyebrows slaht Silas Moore Now I remember" And from the steely look on his face, he’s heard about Silas’s suspension I try not to let the panic show on my face Of course Dad would have heard about that He always knows everything that’s going on at Rusk Everything that impacts the school’s reputation, and thus their ability to bring indownhill If I don’t end this now, it will be akin to tu down the side of a mountain Dad will poke and pry and pin Silas to the spot until he gets whatever answers he wants That’s hoorks

And knowing Silas, he’ll fight back rather than lie down

"Well, ere just chatting about classes, but now that you guys are here" I step closer to aze for the first time His expression is blank, al in his eyes "I’ll see you around, Silas" I offer a shwith n a stomachache and come find him

My parents turn to walk away, and I follow, but not before ht back at him