Suspicious Minds (Stranger Things Novels #1)(20)

“You’ll be getting credit for the psychology research you’re participating in,” the woman said. “You won’t have to make up assignments on those days. The school has let your instructors know. You’re to be at the psychology building at nine a.m. each Thursday, unless told otherwise.”

“Okay,” Terry said and shook her head. “But what’s the catch?”

“Your overall academic performance will be tied to your continued participation,” the woman said. “Other than that…” She shrugged.

Terry planned to keep going anyway, so that wasn’t a big deal. “Hmm.”

“It’s unusual, but…it’s what we were told.” The woman lowered her voice a touch. “What kind of research is it?”

She definitely couldn’t answer that. “Private,” she said. “I don’t need to do anything else?”

Nose in the air, not happy at being rebuffed: “Not at this time.”

A dismissal.

Andrew stood and they moved back into the hall.

“What the hell?” Andrew asked.

“My thoughts exactly,” Terry said.

“Who are these people, Terry?” Andrew frowned, something he rarely did, except when listening to the news. He was worried about her. Sweet.

“I told you, it’s a big deal. That’s why I’m doing this.”

“I’m not sure I like it.” His gaze went back to the room they’d left.

“But you can see it’s important?” Terry leaned in close, and they kept their voices down as other students walked past. “They just called up the school and told them to give me Thursdays off and I’m getting credit for it? They’re tying our grades to doing this. And no one asked any questions. They just agreed. I have to keep going.”

Andrew rested his forehead against hers. “Babe, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“I do and I don’t,” she said and gave him a light kiss. Some administrative type in a suit cleared his throat and they separated, but she extended her hand and Andrew wove his fingers through hers.

“You’re my witness to whatever comes of this,” she said.

“I hereby solemnly swear.”

He really was worried about her. His eyes were so brown, his grin so nice…Terry forgot to worry about anything for a little while.





3.


The diner’s slow days were few and far between, and like a promised land entirely for taking a breath while getting paid. One of the busboys slung off his apron and told Terry he was taking a smoke break. She confirmed the floor stood desolate and said, “Have an extra for me.” He didn’t point out that Terry wasn’t a smoker.

She decided to refill the cutlery station to keep busy. Also, then she wouldn’t have to do it later. It was Tuesday, and apparently her next visit to the lab would be in two days—one week since her last one. Previously they’d been only every two to three weeks. The schedule acceleration, along with the morning’s news, must mean something…but what?

Becky would have too many questions about this “get out of school free” Monopoly card she had drawn. Terry planned to tell her that all it had been was the school wanting to confirm she was happy in her major.

If it was still slow when she finished with the silverware, there was always the ratty paperback edition of The Fellowship of the Ring in her purse. She could get started on chapter two.

The bell above the door jingled and Terry smiled in recognition at Ken. “Hi,” she said, coming around from behind the counter. She snagged a menu and a set of silverware. “Fancy seeing you here. Sit anywhere you want.”

Ken lingered awkwardly inside the door for a moment, before launching into motion to his right. He slid into the second booth. “This is the right one.”

Terry shook her head, amused. She plopped down the menu and silverware. “If you say so. What can I get you?”

“Nothing,” he said.

“Nothing?” Terry couldn’t figure him out. “Then why are you at a diner?”

The bell jingled again, and she spun to see Alice barreling through it. “Alice,” she said quietly to Ken, as the girl spotted them and made her way toward the table. “You’re here to meet Alice? Anything I should know?”

Alice, however, stopped beside Terry and propped her hands on the hips of her greasy coveralls. “What’s he doing here?” she demanded. Then, gesturing opposite him, “Is this seat taken?”

Ken raised his brows at Terry. “No, it’s all yours,” he told Alice.

She took the spot. “So,” she said, and paused, gathering her thoughts.

Terry wanted to know what both of them were doing here, without expecting each other; this was too much of a coincidence. But when she looked up, she saw another familiar figure on the sidewalk outside. Gloria.

“Hold that thought,” Terry said, and the bell jingled behind her as she went outside.

“The gang’s all here,” she called across to Gloria. “Did you and Alice plan to meet up?”

Gloria hesitated. Today’s ensemble was relatively casual for her. A pastel flower-print blouse tucked into a deep green knee-length skirt. Her handbag matched.

“What is it?” Terry asked.