190

NEW STUDENTS

Once again, my bags were piled by the door, but this time they were joined by Noelle's, tripling the size of the pile. We were going home this afternoon. Finally. When I had first arrived on St. Barths I couldn't imagine ever wanting to leave. Now every inch of my body itched for the door, the car, the plane. I just wanted to get back to normal.

Then Upton squeezed my hand. I looked at him and my heart contracted. "Can I take you with me?" I whispered.

"I wish I could come," he replied. "But I promise I'll visit you soon."

"No whispering at the table," Noelle interjected. "You two lovebirds are so rude."

I blushed and glanced around at the parents on the other side of the brunch table, all of whom were now looking at us either with amusement or approbation. Noelle was obviously kidding, but it was still embarrassing.

191

"Reed, could you pass the fruit, please?" Sawyer asked, breaking the silence and giving me something to do. I released Upton's hand and passed Sawyer the big frosted-glass bowl.

"Thanks," he said, looking me in the eye.

I smiled back gratefully. "Thankyou."

Mr. Lange cleared his throat and stood up from his seat at the end of the table. He was wearing a pink oxford shirt tucked into perfectly pressed chinos, looking every bit the casual businessman. As he stood, he lifted his mimosa glass at his side.

"Everyone, if I could have your attention for a brief moment, I have an announcement to make," he said.

I glanced past Upton at Noelle, who lifted one shoulder in bemusement. What was all this about?

"These last two weeks--the last few months, really--have been a trying time for all of us," Mr. Lange began, glancing in my direction. "But with a new year comes a fresh start, and the board of directors at Easton Academy has made a move that I believe will help usher in a whole new era at our beloved school."

Across the table from Graham and Sawyer, Mr. Hathaway was touching his napkin to his lips, clearly trying to hide behind it.

"I'm happy that you will all be the first to know that Spencer Hathaway has accepted the position of headmaster of Easton Academy," Mr. Lange announced. "And that his two fine boys will be the newest additions to the student body."

"Noway," I blurted, looking at Sawyer. "You're going to Easton?"

Sawyer nodded, pushing his hands into the napkin across his lap.

192

The Langes and the Gileses applauded, and Upton got up to congratulate Mr. Hathaway. Noelle went over and gave Mr. Hathaway a kiss on the cheek, then paused by Graham's chair on the way back.

"You two sure you can hang with us?" she joked.

"I think we can handle it," Graham said, taking a bite of his bacon.

Sawyer didn't look quite as confident, though.

"What's wrong? Nervous about starting a new school?" I asked.

"I guess," he said, looking down at his plate. "It sucks, switching over midyear."

"Well, don't worry about it. You already have friends there, so that's a good thing," I said, glancing at Noelle. "And I'm sure with your dad as the headmaster, you guys will get placed in one of the good dorms."

"Which ones are the good ones?" Graham asked, on the edge of his seat.

Noelle lowered herself into Upton's now vacant chair to be closer to us. "Well, for guys it's Ketlar. You definitely want to be in Ketlar. If anyone utters the word Drake, run in the opposite direction."

"What's wrong with Drake? " Sawyer asked.

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