Call the Shots (Swim the Fly #3)(25)

“A movie?” Helen perks up. “You mean, like, for a school project? That’d be cool.”

Coop shakes his head slowly. “No. Not for school. For reals. A feature film.”

“Right.” Valerie chuckles. “What’d they slip into the turkey tetrazzini today?”

Coop ignores Val and turns to Helen. “We’ve already come up with a killer story idea, and we’ve lined up some serious financing. Matt’s been sketching out the business plan, I’m researching potential shooting locations, and Sean’s, like, halfway done with the script.” He gestures toward my legal pad, which I surreptitiously cover with my hand.

“What we don’t have,” Matt adds, “is someone to do the music, the editing, and the special effects. Would you girls maybe want to be in charge of those things?”

“Wait a second,” Helen says. “You’re really serious about this?”

“One hundred percent,” Coop says.

“Oublie ?a!” Valerie laughs. “Sorry. Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Why not?” Coop asks.

“I just . . .” Val sighs. “Look, no offense or anything, but I’m well aware of your crazy plots and schemes, Cooper, and, quite honestly, I’d prefer not to be included.”

“This is no plot,” Coop insists. “This is a mission. A supreme act of kindness. We’re making this film to help out our friend here.” He motions across the table at me. “Sean’s family is in crisis. As I’m sure you’re aware of, his mother is expecting a baby any day now and —”

“Actually, it’s a few months,” I correct him.

“And,” Coop continues, giving me the stink eye, “they have nowhere for this brand-new bundle of joy to lay its down-covered head.” He turns to address Valerie. “The money we make from this movie is going to help the Hance family expand their home so that they can welcome their new family member with open arms and a room of his — or her — own. Now, if you don’t want to help out a poor innocent baby, well, then, your soul is blacker than I thought.”

With that, Coop averts his gaze, like he can’t bear to look at someone so coldhearted. But by the tell-me-another-one look on Valerie’s face, I don’t think she’s buying it.

Val can barely contain her laughter. “So this is a completely selfless act, then?”

Coop places his hand on his chest. “Did I say that? No, I did not. As it happens, there might be something in it for all of us. Namely, fame and fortune and millions of dollars. But that’s beside the point. The chief main reason we’re doing this is for Sean-o’s family.”

“We really need you guys,” I plead. “I mean, if we’re actually going to get this thing done before the baby’s born, we’re gonna need all the help we can get.”

Valerie looks over at Helen, who shrugs and smiles.

“I’m game,” Helen says. “What could it hurt?”

Val rolls her eyes. “Okay, fine. But I want to do the costumes too. If by some miracle this ever does see the light of day, I wouldn’t mind having that credit to put on my premed application. They love to see applicants with diverse interests.”

Coop shrugs. “Knock yourself out. You did a great job with Helen’s outfit at the Battle of the Bands, that’s for sure.” He waggles his eyebrows at Helen. And get this, she actually giggles. Girls. Jeez.

“Hey, what’s up, buttercup?”

I do a double take before realizing it’s Evelyn who’s sliding in next to me on the bench.

“Hi,” I say, my stomach gripping up. “What . . . what are you doing here?”

“Guess who has study hall fourth period?” Evelyn squeals. “And guess who got her study-hall teacher to excuse her to go have some lunch today?”

“Wow.” I blink. “That’s . . . great.”

I don’t know why I’m feeling so uneasy. It’s not like Evelyn hasn’t been mostly normal lately. She was totally chill when I told her I couldn’t hang out yesterday after school because I had to visit my uncle. Granted, I may have added that he was dying of emphysema, but there’s a chance that’s not actually a lie. Still, I’ve been bracing myself this whole week, like someone’s squeezing a balloon right next to my ear.

“So.” Evelyn grins across the table. “What are we gabbing about?”

“The guys are making a movie,” Helen blabs. “We’re helping out. You should too.”

“Ohmygod, I definitely want to help.” She looks at me. “I mean, if you want me to.”

“No. Yeah,” I lie. “Sure. Of course.”

“Cool. So, what can I do?” She’s practically vibrating.

“You wouldn’t have access to a professional video camera, would you?” Coop asks.

Evelyn frowns thoughtfully. “What do you mean by professional?”

Coop cants his head, suddenly hopeful. “Something high-def. Why? Do you have one?”

“Is there, like, a particular brand you wanted?” Evelyn asks.

“Any brand is fine,” Matt replies. “As long as it shoots really high-quality video.”

Evelyn shrugs. “I might be able to get my hands on something.”