She was a bit distant at lunch yesterday, but today she’s back to normal. I guess she’s decided that I’ll tell her eventually. We’re talking in the hallway when Scott finds us. He nods at Georgia, then leans in close to me. “I have a new story angle. Can you meet me at lunch? Maybe 12:30 in the media lab?” I nod, and the bell rings for homeroom. As the grade nine student-of-the-week reads the announcements over the P.A., Mr. Arthur hands a note to Georgia and one to me. It seems we both have appointments with the school counselor tomorrow. I roll my eyes while Georgia pretends she’s going to puke. I’m in the lab at 12:30 on the dot, waiting for Scott. I’m still there at 12:40, 12:50 and 1:00, when the bell rings. I don’t see him in the halls all afternoon, but that’s not unusual. I assume he forgot about our meeting. I do see Ian between classes, sporting a puffy black eye, but I don’t have time to ask him about it. My dad is waiting in the parking lot after school again.
