For The Sake of Science

Chapter 3 - The Dilema

Emily and Amanda were the last to arrive for dinner, which landed them at the far end of the table—just close enough to hear conversation, but not close enough to join it.

Cole sat at the opposite end, eyes flicking toward her every few minutes.

Emily turned slightly in her seat and spotted Darius near the back wall, making small talk with a few teachers. Their eyes met. He smiled softly in her direction.

She quickly looked away.

Cole, of course, had seen it. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair and gave a subtle nod toward Darius.

Emily returned a tiny nod in confirmation.

"I'm going for seconds," Matt said, rising from his seat.

"If you are, then I am too." Star stood, nudging Amanda. "You coming?"

Amanda nodded, and the three of them wandered off in pursuit of the last slices of cheese pizza. Cole waited a moment, then quietly slipped into Amanda's empty seat beside Emily.

"Hi," she said, giving him a tired smile.

"Hey," he replied, glancing casually in Darius's direction. "How's it going?"

James and Ian looked up, noting the chair swap.

Emily glanced over her shoulder, tense, but Darius was still busy charming Miss Higgins.

Without a word, Cole reached across the table and took her hand—openly, deliberately.

Star and the guys returned seconds later, and the new seating arrangement didn't go unnoticed. Cole's soccer jersey. The handholding.

Star raised an eyebrow and signed dramatically at Emily: "I'll allow it this once—but I expect the full story at bedtime."

Amanda sighed when she realized she now had to sit next to Matt, bumping his shoulder as she dropped into Cole's old chair.

Mr. Yates climbed up onto a folding chair and waved his arms to get everyone's attention.

"Alright, listen up!" he called. "Quick update. Because of the storm, the mechanic couldn't get here today. If the roads clear tomorrow, we'll have someone come by. But it might be another day before we can leave."

The groans were immediate.

"I know everyone's eager to get to Keppel's," he continued. "But we're doing our best to get you there safely. In the meantime—curfew is 9:00 sharp. Doors locked. No sneaking around. We'll be taping your doors to check."

More groans. Some muttering.

"It's 8:15 now," Yates added. "So I suggest you wrap up dinner and get settled."

He stepped down and said something quietly to Darius before the two of them made their way toward the lobby.

Cole leaned over and said casually, "Is it cool if I steal Emily for a second? We're done eating and I wanted to talk before lights out."

The group nodded way too enthusiastically.

Star made a face at Emily that totally said, 'we'll talk later.'

Cole stood and nodded toward the exit. Emily followed. He wrapped his arm gently around her shoulders as they walked.

"Okay," he said under his breath, keeping his face in view for her. "Here's the plan. We'll 'accidentally' run into Darius. You ask for more time. I'll pretend I can't understand anything, so he won't feel the need to hold back. Then we regroup."