Asp of Ascension (A Nefertari Hughes Mystery #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

"I feel like everyone knows." Maude clutched the binder to her chest. Her backpack bulged with supplies for the afternoon. "They're staring more than usual."

"It's your tight T-shirt," Terry teased. "Didn't you notice the big smile the limo driver gave you this morning?"

Maude gripped her binder tighter. "I forgot to try it on before I ironed on the letters. Besides," she huffed, "I didn't have time to put anything else on this morning. I was hauling my butt out of bed when Grandma told me you were waiting in the limo out front."

"Sorry." Terry yawned. "It's my fault. I kept you on the phone until two this morning."

"And," Maude added, dropping her voice, "I had to pack provisions for our you-know-what." A package of red Twizzlers stuck out of the top of her backpack.

Terry glanced at the kids milling in the hallway. Whenever she caught an eye, the person quickly looked away. Maybe Maude was right, maybe their secret plan was written all over their faces. She quickened her shuffle, wanting to escape the weight of their stares.

An uneasy tingle travelled down her spine. A cheerleader and her boyfriend dropped their heads and began to whisper. Terry thought she heard Zach's name.

"I think I'm going to pee my pants. Why do we have to wait until after school?" Maude asked for the tenth time in less than an hour. "Can't we skip class and go straight to the museum?"

Terry didn't answer, distracted by the basketball banner being strung up across the hallway. A lump sifted down her throat, resting in the bottom of her gut. There had been no sign of Zach this morning.

She and Maude continued to drift in a semi-paranoid state down the rest of the hallway and finally into history class. Ms. Bernard's usual blanched complexion was rosy. Terry glanced toward the back. Zach's teammates were roughhousing. One looked up at Terry, and the smile dropped from his face.

"A quick reminder," Ms. Bernard started, while students were still coming in, "that we're going to the museum tomorrow. You'll all need your permission slips brought in or you'll be spending the afternoon in study hall." She motioned to Terry. "Don't worry about the parental consent form, dear," she said. "I was at the museum yesterday finalizing the trip, and Ms. Mathers signed on your behalf." Her eyes squinted behind her glasses. "Sarah is certainly a devoted godmother."

Maude flinched when Ms. Bernard mentioned the museum. Terry immediately felt guilty. She should be doing this on her own. She leaned over and nudged her friend. "Hey," Terry whispered, "let's forget about this afternoon."

Ms. Bernard looked down her pointy nose at the back row. "I must emphasize that this particular field trip is a special honour, and I expect you to behave accordingly. No hijinks will be tolerated."

Allison came into class with a large manila envelope tucked under her arm. She sniffed and handed Ms. Bernard the package. There were a few whispers between them, then Allison took her seat. Terry had barely enough time to register Allison's red-rimmed eyes before Zach came in.

He glided past Terry and Maude and plunked down in a seat in the back with the other jocks. His snub felt like a slap. Terry replayed their phone conversation. He'd flirted with her, said he'd broken up with his girlfriend, but he hadn't actually said he liked her. An embarrassed blush crept up her neck. She wished she hadn't pinned her hair back today. All she wanted to do was hide.

Ms. Bernard gasped. "Now this," she said, holding out the contents of Allison's envelope, "is what I call an A-plus."

Terry's mouth dropped open.

"The bar has been raised, class," Ms. Bernard stated, holding a colourful pamphlet aloft. "Cleopatra's life and accomplishments as a beauty and fashion entrepreneur." She practically beamed at Allison. "Such originality!"