This World That Divides Us

CHAPTER 17

Professor Donovan canceled our AP Statistics class today, so Molly and I are currently visiting my dad in his office, which is connected to the kitchen of our cafeteria.

"Damn, Mr. M., this is some snazzy office they gave you," Molly exclaims, plopping herself onto the chair across from my dad's desk.

"Thanks, Molly. It is pretty neat."

"Can I maybe put a request in for lunch tomorrow?"

"Uh, the menu is already set, but, sure," he laughs, "let's hear what you had in mind."

"I would LOVE some homemade pizza. A plain and simple Margherita, but with fresh tomato sauce and mozzarella."

"I can definitely run the idea by Dean Hemmings."

Molly turns to me and points her thumb in his direction. "I love your dad."

"Oh, dad, before I forget. I'm working at the library today so you don't have to wait for me."

"Okay. And how are you getting home?"

"Oh, that's right. Can you pick me up later?" I smile.

"Of course. Maybe we'll go out for dinner? Mexican?"

"You know I'm never one to say no to fish tacos."

Dad laughs and then looks at Molly. "What do you say, Molly? You in?"

She presses her palm to her chest. "You mean I'm invited?"

"If that's okay with your parents."

"Hell yeah it's okay."

We spend a few more minutes with my dad until 5th period starts. I head to Chemistry while Molly heads to Art. And, before I know it, the day's over and I'm making my way over to the library.

"Hi, Ms. Harris," I greet her when I walk in.

"Anastasia," she nods in acknowledgement. I could be making this up, but I'm pretty sure the woman doesn't like me.

She hands me a list of names of new students who need library cards, so I plant myself down in front of the computer and get to work. I'm staring at the computer screen when I hear someone whistling.

"Henry," I say when I look up, "what are you doing here?"

He holds up a cream-colored cardigan. "You left this in my car the weekend we went to Dartmouth. Sorry it took so long for me to notice. It was in the backseat."

"My sweater!" I shriek, getting up and walking over to him. "You know? I didn't even realize that it was missing." When I take it from his grip, I notice that the fabric feels extra soft. I bring it up to my nose and then smell it. It smells like lavender. "Did you dry clean it?"

"I hope that's okay," he says, a nervous smile on his face.

"Okay? Henry, that's so sweet of you. And totally unnecessary. Thank you," I say, going in for a hug.

At first, he's caught off-guard by the gesture, so I feel weird about initiating it, but when I notice his body relax, that feeling vanishes.

It doesn't take long for the muscles in his back to tense up again and, this time, he pulls back.

"Uh. You have a visitor," he whispers, and I immediately turn my head around to see Jack standing there. I'm quick enough to catch him looking at us, but then he glances the other way.

"Jack?" I speak up, which gets him to look back at me.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," he finally says, then looks at Henry. "Astor," he greets him, his tone full of animosity.