drama club put on two shows a year?a winter play and a spring
musical.
She wondered what play the drama club was going to put on, and
saw a spare script lying in the wings. A Midsummer?s Night?s
Dream. Helen opened to the first page and read, ?SCENE 1. ATHENS. THE
PALACE OF THESEUS.? She rolled her eyes and dropped the script, feeling
set up. Maybe the Fates really did pull all the strings.
Helen zombied her way through the last three periods, but her
luck couldn?t hold out all day. When the bell signaling the end of
school rang, she rushed to her locker to get to track as quickly as
she could, but Lucas was anticipating her.
?H
ey!? he shouted from halfway down the hall. He looked big and
dangerous as he walked toward her, every step sending underclassmen
scurrying to get out of his way. ?Where have you been all
day??
?Busy. I can?t be late for track again,? she replied tersely, not
looking at him as she dug her stuff out of her locker.
?I?ll walk you,? he said. He tried to get a look at her face.
She kept her head down and her face covered with her hair and
didn?t reply. They walked down the hall next to each other at the
same pace, but today Helen felt even more lonely with Lucas beside
her than she had when she was by herself.
?Why didn?t you call me this morning? I could have picked you
up earlier if you needed to stop somewhere,? he said when the silence
became intolerable.
?Look, Lucas. The whole ride to school thing is sweet, but I think
it?s easier for me to just take my bike. So maybe we should just forget
it.?
?You don?t want me to pick you up anymore?? he asked in a cold