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Chapter 7: Answers

I'm only realizing it now but this school is a lot bigger than I thought it was. I usually just follow Maddie to class, but now that I'm on my own it takes me a while to realize that I'm not even on the right floor. Nevertheless, after aimlessly wandering through what feels like endless hallways, I finally find the door to Mr. Roger's math/science/history class. I put my hand on the doorknob but I hesitate before opening it. After everything, Katie just told me, this class is honestly the last place I wanna be right now. I still don't understand why Maddie's acting weird and the last thing I need right now is Katie trying to rope me into her stupid plan. And to top it all off, I have no idea why Zack is-

"Are you gonna go in? Or are you gonna keep standing there looking stupid?", speak of the devil.

"Nice to see you too Zack."

"Oh wait, I know you. You're Maddie's friend. Emily or something right?"

"It's Emma"

"Anyways have you seen Chase anywhere? I've been looking for him all day."

"Who?"

"Y'know the redhead I'm always hanging out with. Aren't you two like friends or something? I see him talking to you sometimes.", I have no idea who or what he's talking about but the last thing I want is to drag out this conversation any further.

"Oh yeah, Chase. No, I haven't seen him"

"I'm gonna be so pissed if I find out that he's skipping without me. Anyways, are you gonna open the door or not?"

"Oh yeah sorry about that", I step into class and immediately all eyes are on me.

"Late again Hudson? How many times do I have to tell you to-", Mr. Roger pauses as if he just now noticed I was there. "Oh? Ms. Jones, you're late as well?"

"Sorry, teach, guess my bad influence is rubbing off on her", again everyone laughs.

"Well then. Do the two of you want to explain your inability to show up to class on time"

"Oh uh I-", as I fumble with my words trying to think of a good excuse, I receive an unexpected helping hand.

"Emma was helping Mrs. Wordell move some boxes. I saw her on my way to class", says Katie of all people. She gives me a quick glance before going back to gawking at Zack.

"Well you should have just said so, Ms. Jones. Go on and take your seat. I'll talk to you after class, Hudson.", I quickly take my seat next to Maddie who seems even more upset now.

"That was nice of her.", she says without even looking at me.

"...what?"

"I'm talking about Katie. It's rare to see her help someone out like that. Especially someone she used to bully. I wonder why she did that for you."

"...maybe she had a change of heart?", I say very unconvincingly.

"...maybe.", and just like that, Maddie goes back to being unresponsive. Try as I might to start some small talk with her, I'm either met with one-word answers or just flat-out ignored. I decide to stop trying to force a conversation with her until I lock eyes with Zack.

"Oh wait, Maddie, I almost forgot. I need to talk to you about something."

"Fine, what is it?"

"Not here. It needs to be someplace where we can talk alone.", Maddie looks at me like she's analyzing my facial expressions, and then she smiles.

"OK, sure. I've been meaning to talk to you as well.", ...she has? This whole time she's been acting like the last thing she wanted to do was talk to me.