“Library for lunch?” I rush to say, and Emerson nods.
“Yeah” is all I hear him say before I dart off toward my first class like a coward.
This is harder than I thought it was going to be. A lump forms in my throat as I take my seat. I’m starting to understand why my mom loves to run.
Chapter Two
Apollo
The bell rings, and I rush down the hall, ready to meet Celeste outside her classroom. She dodged me this morning, but I’m not letting it happen again. When I get to the door, she looks up at me, and so many emotions pass in her eyes. So many that I don’t have time to process it before someone steps into my line of sight.
“Hi, Crew,” Emerson says, and I go to move around him.
“Not now,” I say through gritted teeth, but he moves again to block me. I look up and glare at him. “Move.”
“No, I don’t think so.” He smiles brightly, and I clench my fists at my side.
“This has nothing to do with you, so get out of my way.”
“You see, right now I’m going to walk my girl to class, and you’re going to let it happen.”
“Right after I talk to her.” All I want to do is remove the obstacle in front of me, but I don’t want to hurt him.
“Hmm.” He pretends to think it over and shakes his head. “No.”
“Emerson, you need to move, or I’ll make you move.”
“Don’t hit me, Crew!” he shouts, and my brows pull together in confusion. “Get your hands off me!”
I look down and confirm that I’m not touching him. The sound of teachers calling out has me turning, and then I see Principal Nolan with a stern look on her face.
“Come with me, Crew,” she says, and I realize what Emerson has done.
“You get between me and Celeste, and you’ll regret it,” I say in a low voice to him as I take a step back.
“Ow, my arm.” He grabs it and pretends to be injured.
I roll my eyes as I face Principal Nolan, and she looks pissed. “My office. Now.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Celeste turn her back on me and walk with Emerson to her next class. I’m pissed, but at least I know she’s here. I camped outside her house for days with no word from her. I’m not letting her disappear on me again.
We make the long walk down the hallway with Principal Nolan telling people to get to class. Her office is at the front of the school, and when we get there, she points to a chair in front of her desk.
“Sit.” She closes the door behind us and then takes her seat with the desk between us. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on, Crew?”
“Nothing is going on. I didn’t touch Emerson.”
“I’m not blind, Crew. I know you didn’t, which is why he isn’t in the office with you.” She steeples her fingers in front of her and points them at me. “What I’d like to know is why the confrontation happened in the first place, and why you’ve missed every practice since Friday.”
“I’m sorry you won’t get your national trophy this year.”
She takes a deep breath and looks to be calling on her inner strength. “Do you think that’s what this is about? A trophy?”
“Why do you care if I’m missing practice other than the rowing team lost its last two matches?”
“I care because this isn't like you, Crew. I’ve never met a student more focused in my seventeen years of teaching.”
I look out her window at the courtyard and wonder if I can get Celeste alone in the gym. That’s our last class this afternoon, so I’m guaranteed to at least be in the same room with her for an hour.
“Crew,” she says, and it snaps my attention back to her. “Your scholarships depend on you graduating.”
“So what?” I know the answer is immature, but I don’t have the will to care.
“Look, I don’t like your father.” She leans back in her seat, and her statement gives me pause. Everyone likes my father.
“What?”
“I think he’s pushed you too hard since you were young, and honestly, he’s an asshole.”
The edges of my lips try to form a smile, and I can’t remember the last time I did it. Maybe Friday before everything went to shit.
“I’m not going to argue with you.”
She leans back in her chair and shakes her head. “You got a full ride all on your own, Crew, and you know that. Your father didn’t buy it, he didn’t even know you were applying until I got the confirmation.”
She’s right. Dad planned for me to go to an Ivy League up north, but I knew it was because he had friends in the admissions department. When I’d come to Principal Nolan last year, she said she could help me submit all of my applications anonymously so that I’d have a chance on my own. I wanted to know that I was good enough, not because of my last name, but because of the hard work I’d put in.
“You’ve come all the way to the finish line,” she says, her eyes focused. “Get your butt across it. Don’t lose what you’ve worked so hard for.”
I blow out a long breath. She’s right, but I don’t want to admit it. “I’ve just had a rough couple of days.”
“Give Celeste some time.” My eyes snap to hers, and she smiles as she shakes her head. “You kids act like we don’t know what’s going on around here.”
“I don’t want to jeopardize my scholarship,” I say honestly. “I’ll talk to Coach.”
“I talked to him this morning. Be at practice tonight and your absences will be excused.” She raises her eyebrow and points her finger at me. “Don’t make me regret this, Crew. And don’t make a scene at school. Do it on your own time.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say, and she waves me out.
“Go to class.”
By the time I get to my next class, the bell rings, and it’s time for lunch. I go straight to the library and look through the glass. In the distance, I see Celeste with an untouched bagged lunch in front of her and Emerson beside her, talking to her. I can tell he’s trying to cheer her up with how he’s talking animatedly and nudging her arm. I want to go to her, to talk this out and explain. But Principal Nolan’s words are still ringing in the back of my mind. Give her time.
Well, she’s had days, and it’s not good enough. As much as I want to charge in there, I don’t want to get either of us into trouble. I’m going to see her in gym, and then she won’t have a choice but to speak to me.
Just when I’m stepping away, she looks to the door, and her eyes meet mine. There’s never been more distance between us, and it’s not just because she’s on the other side of the room.
I want to give her what she needs, and maybe that is more time away from me, but at some point, the confrontation is going to happen. Celeste can run, but she can’t hide.
Chapter Three
Celeste
It’s been four days, and I still can’t get the look on Apollo’s face out of my mind. When he walked into the library, I was sure my time was up. Until his eyes locked with mine, and I realized something changed. He stared at me for a long moment and then turned and left. Since then, he hasn’t tried to talk to me again. Well, at least not in person.