Bookishly Ever After (Ever After #1)(28)

“They do,” he said calmly, slipping a bookmark into the book and gently shutting it. “But usually the shooting is much better.”

“That’s harsh.”

He let out a laugh and shook his head. “That’s me, your really harsh Dad. So, are you done?”

“I think it’s best for everyone involved if I stop before I hurt anyone.” Maeve never had bad archery days. But, then again, her destiny kind-of made it impossible for her to mess up. I thought of the paper now squished in my bow bag. “And after seeing me shoot like this, can you believe Coach Rentz wants me to volunteer to teach archery at the sixth grade camp?”

He looked up again over the rim of his glasses and suppressed a laugh. “Sixth grade camp? Did anyone tell her about the cryogenically frozen Jesus fiasco?”

I didn’t need to be reminded of my last, disastrous attempt to volunteer with kids. “It’s not my fault people let six year olds watch the Science Channel. You would think Father Sam would be the first to forgive and forget.”

Dad choked back a laugh. “You and kids just aren’t a good mix. It might be a good idea if you volunteer with inanimate objects, instead.”

“Yeah. I’ll stick to knitting chemo caps and preemie hats. Less chance of getting calls from angry parents. Still,” I side-eyed him with a fake annoyed look, “thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Always, kiddo.” He pointed me back towards my bow and opened his book again. “Now, pack up and let me finish this chapter. I was just getting to the next clue in this mystery.”





17


“Sunglasses, Ms. Martins,” Mr. MacKenzie said as he passed in his usual morning “just a reminder I actually get out of my office” stroll through the hallways before the first bell.

I straightened up by pressing my back against the wall next to Em’s locker and reached up to pull off my sunglasses. The hallway was way too bright for that hour in the morning. “Okay.”

Em poured me another handful of chocolate-covered espresso beans. “You do this to yourself, you know.”

“I couldn’t stop. Timeswitch was too good.” I slouched again and dropped my sunglasses back into place. “I think it was maybe five-thirty when I finished and got to sleep.” I yawned.

“You’re the only person I know who has book hangovers.”

The first handful of espresso beans were finally starting to kick in—the world was getting a little less fuzzy. “It was worth it. I had to know if Lara and Fabien got together and saved the world.”

“Spoiler alert: they always do.” Em slammed her locker shut and I jumped at the sound. “You could have just skipped ahead and read the end.” She shouldered her bookbag and added, “That’s how I figure out if something’s even worth reading.”

“No, that ruins everything.” I yawned. “Part of a really good book is how they get to the end. And holy love triangles, it was good.”

Em opened her mouth to say something, but then she shut it and wrinkled her nose like she’d just tried some sour milk. “Ego alert.”

“Breaking the dress code rules, Phoebe?” Kris came into my line of sight, stopping and looking straight at me. He pushed back his hair in a smooth movement, even though it was already perfect, just like the rest of him. I prayed he hadn’t heard the love triangle comment.

It took a minute to remember to breathe. “Huh?” He pointed at my sunglasses and I quickly reached up to push them down and look over them like Maeve did when she first met Aedan on the hill of Tara. “Oh, I’m just rebelling against the social restrictions at this school that you try so hard to protect.” I hoped my dark circles weren’t too huge and that my sweater looked Maeve-y and wasn’t bunched weirdly at my waistband or anything.

Em poked the hand that I was using to prop up my sunglasses. “Stop doing that. You look like my Great-Aunt Simone trying to read the newspaper,” she hissed at me under her breath.

Frak. I tried to look cool as I quickly pulled the glasses off my face but I scratched my cheek in the process.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Kris said with a wry grin. He leaned closer, making my heart stop, and said, in a loud whisper, “I’d join in your rebellion if I wasn’t class president. Sunglasses are cool.”

Before I could come up with any witty banter, one of the seniors mock-punched Kris in the arm as he passed us and said, “Hey, cuz, you gonna be at the club later?”

Kris did some sort of midair guy-high-five/handshake hybrid with the senior. “Yeah, Aunt Rose needs me to help with the gala. It’ll be epic.”

“Always is.” The guy kept walking and called over his shoulder. “See you at four, then.”

Em’s expression was a combination of boredom and annoyance. “Do people even say stuff like ‘epic’ anymore?”

He ignored her comment, but gave me a little wave. “I gotta go talk to Matt before homeroom, but don’t worry, I won’t report you to the dress code police. Your rebelling is safe with me, Phoebe.”

“Thanks.” I tried to make my smile cool and mysterious, like Maeve’s, but it moved at light speed straight into what had to be an embarrassingly goofy grin.

“See you in homeroom, Katsaros.” Kris disappeared down the hallway and I leaned back against the wall to watch him.