For The Sake of Science

Chapter Three - The Dilema

Emily and Amanda were the last to arrive for dinner, placing them at the end of the table where she missed most conversation topics. Cole was sitting at the opposite end of the table and kept glancing her way. 

She turned around and noticed Darius standing to the side of the room, making small talk with a few teachers. Their eyes met and he gave a soft smile in her direction. She quickly turned around and realized Cole had picked up on their interaction. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair and nodded toward Darius. Emily nodded in confirmation.

"I'm going to get seconds," Matt stood up, heading towards the pizza line.

"If you're getting seconds, I am too," Star chirped. "Amanda?"

She nodded and all three made their way over to the line to steal the last few slices of cheese pizza. Cole waited a moment, then made his way over to steal Amanda's chair next to Emily.

"Hi." she smiled.

"How's it going?" he asked, subtly nodding over toward Darius.

James and Ian looked up at them. Emily didn't want Darius to know she was close with Cole. Nervously, she glanced over her shoulder hoping he wasn't paying attention—which he wasn't. He was too enthralled in making Miss Higgins laugh.

Cole turned to their friends and grabbed her hand, openly on the cafeteria table.

Star and the guys approached the table and quickly pieced together the soccer jersey and handholding.

"I'll let it slide this one time, but no details are to be spared once we get ready for bed," she signed at Emily before sitting down. Amanda moved to where Cole was sitting, not pleased that she was now seated furthest from James, and bumping shoulders with Matt.

Mr. Yates stood on a chair and waved for everyone's attention.

"Hello everyone!" He shouted, "I wanted to update you that due to inclement weather, we were unable to have a mechanic come and service the bus. If the roads are clear tomorrow, we will have someone come by, but there is a possibility it may be a day longer."

There was a collective sound of groans.

"I know you all are ancy to arrive at Keppel's. I promise we are working diligently to resolve the problem. In the meantime, curfew is at 9:00. You must be in your rooms with doors locked. No sneaking around and hanging out. We will come around and put a piece of duct tape on your door so we will know if you opened it or not,"

The students seemed all but thrilled.

"It is approximately 8:15 so I suggest wrapping up and getting settled before bed,"

He hopped down from his chair and said something to his brother before they both made their way toward the lobby.

"Is it okay if I steal Emily for a moment? We're done eating and I'd like to chat before we head to bed," Cole smiles, looking at Emily.

Their friends nodded enthusiastically. Star made a face in Emily's direction.

He stood up and nodded towards the exit, and Emily followed behind. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

He made sure she could see his face and softly said, "When we head out, we'll accidentally bump into Darius so you can ask him for more time. Since I'm nowhere close to knowing enough ASL to follow along, he will feel comfortable discussing it and then we can come up with a plan,"

Emily nodded.

They walked into the lobby and sure enough, Darius was there.

She gave him a fake smile and a wave.