Skating on thin ice

Chapter five: Thursday parties

Jossan

I tapped my pencil against my notebook, only half-listening to Mr. Thompson go on about Romeo and Juliet.

My mind was elsewhere.

Brooke leaned over, whispering.

Brooke: "You in there?"
Jossan: "Sorry. Just thinking."
Brooke: "About Mat?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't hide my smile.

Jossan: "Maybe."

Brooke glanced around to make sure no one was listening.

Brooke: "So, any updates to the Mat Schedule?"

I couldn't help but feel a little thrill at the mention of our secret project.

For the past few days, Brooke and I had been carefully observing Mat's daily routine, putting together his schedule bit by bit.

Jossan: "Actually, yes," I whispered back, flipping open my notebook to a page where I had everything written down.
Jossan: "I figured out when he goes for his morning run. Every day at 6:30 AM"

Brooke's eyes widened.

Brooke: "6:30? In the morning? That's practically the middle of the night!"
Jossan: "I know, it's nuts"
Brooke: "Okay, what else?"

I ran my finger down the list.

Jossan: "Well, we already knew about his hockey practice schedule. That's Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30. But get this - on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he goes to the gym right after school. Usually for about an hour."

Brooke let out a low whistle.

Brooke: "No wonder he looks like that. The boy never stops working out."
Jossan: "I know, right?" I said, maybe a little too enthusiastically. I quickly composed myself.

Jossan: "I mean, it's good that he's so dedicated to staying in shape. For hockey, of course."
Brooke: "Of course," Brooke echoed, her tone teasing.
Brooke: "And I'm sure your interest is purely academic."
Jossan: "Shut up. This is valuable information."
Brooke: "Oh, I'm sure," Brooke said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

After a moment, Brooke whispered again.

Brooke: "So, what's the next move? We can't just keep spying on him forever."

I bit my lip, thinking. She was right. We'd gathered all this information, but what were we going to do with it? I couldn't just walk up to Mat and say, "Hey, I've been stalking your daily routine. Want to hang out?"

Suddenly, an idea hit me. I turned to Brooke, my eyes wide with excitement.

Jossan: "I've got it. We're going to throw a party."

Brooke raised an eyebrow.

Brooke: "A party? Where? When?"
Jossan. "Tonight," I said, the plan forming in my mind.

Jossan: "At my house. My parents are going out to some charity thing. The house will be empty."
Brooke: "Tonight?" Brooke repeated, looking skeptical.
Brooke: "Isn't that a bit short notice?"

I waved off her concern.

Jossan: "Please. Half the school would show up if we announced a party five minutes before it started. Besides, last-minute parties are always the best. More spontaneous, you know?"
Brooke: "Okay, im in"

As soon as the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Brooke and I got out of our seats. We had a mission, and time was of the essence.

Jossan: "Kelly!" I called out, spotting our friend's red hair in the crowded hallway.
Jossan: "Kelly, wait up!"