13
I t’s not a Green Hills problem, necessarily,” Ms. Kim said. Jae , MC reminded herself. “Don’t get me wrong, the suburbs were never going to be the cutting edge of education. But the bigger issue, in my opinion, is what people today think high school is supposed to be about.”
“The kids or their parents?” said Gabby, spooning more potatoes onto her plate.
“Both. But my focus is the kids, because they’re the ones who decide, every day, whether to participate in the experience or not.”
MC bit into a perfectly crispy thigh. Conrad had outdone himself with the meal, roasting the chicken over a pile of onions and carrots and baking a crusty loaf of bread to go with it.
He’d even shelled out for fancy European butter.
Their dad, not just the craftsman but the chef of the family, would’ve been proud.
His handmade ceramic plates had been set out for the occasion.
“We want them to imagine more possibilities,” Jae went on.
“To think of high school as more than just torture, or a necessary evil on the way to getting into college.” MC flashed back to being in her English class senior year, listening to Jae give fiery speeches about Great Works of Literature, everyone spellbound.
“Part of that is trying to revive clubs and activities after a decade of focusing on athletics. But a bigger part is changing our classroom culture, which is really hard, given that half of our teachers have been in the building for a long time already.”
“I love that idea,” said Gabby. “Classes really felt like the thing I missed out on. Even in college, my mind was so wrapped up in this guy.” She put a hand on Conrad’s back.
MC couldn’t help noticing that Conrad leaned away a little, even as he flashed a tight smile.
“MC,” said Jae, “how have you been finding the students?”
“They’re great. I mean, they’re on their phones a lot. But other than that, they remind me of our old crew.”
Jae put a few veggies on her fork. “What did you think of high school when you were a student?”
MC stalled, taking a gulp of wine. “I think I mostly just floated through it.”
“That’s not true,” Gabby said.
“Well, working on Explorations was definitely the highlight.”
“You were also on student council.”
“I was just the secretary.”
“And weren’t you a volunteer Big Sister or whatever?” Conrad said.
“I thought it’d look good on my college applications.” MC stared at her bread. “My grades weren’t anything to write home about.”
Gabby shrugged. “Maybe that was because you took so many classes.”
“When I moved back here,” Conrad said, “I remember you told me you didn’t even have a lunch period because there were too many electives you wanted to take.”
“Yeah,” MC said. “I forgot about that.”
Jae smiled. “Now that you’re not a student, I can tell you that there wasn’t a teacher on staff who didn’t love having you in class.”
“You guys are making me blush.”
MC looked at Conrad. He was smiling, like he’d won an argument she didn’t even know they were having.
“So,” Gabby said, “what we’re saying is, hopefully your novel is about high school.”
Everyone laughed. MC had to force herself to laugh along with them.
Toward the end of the meal, the doorbell ringing hit a fever pitch.
Gabby volunteered to wash the dishes while Conrad and Jae manned the door, with MC going between to help dry a plate here, refill the candy bowl there.
That feeling of home sparked in her again, and she wasn’t sure whether to be wary of it.
There was still the slight friction between Gabby and Conrad.
The not-slight friction of MC being in Green Hills under false pretenses.
Yet she couldn’t help enjoying this unexpected break—this new version of being back.
She decided to go big and invite Nora over for dessert. A peace offering after their tense interaction that afternoon, and another chance to see if she could figure out the connection between Nora’s various selves.
She went to ask Conrad if he was okay with the invite. But when she got to the mudroom, she saw him sitting shoulder to shoulder with Jae. Not romantically, exactly. Just closer than MC would’ve expected.
“Hey,” she said, and they broke apart in an instant. “Cool if I ask Nora over for dessert?”
Conrad, whose face had looked cloudy at first, broke out in a smile. “Sure.”
“I figured since she helped with the Explorations meeting today, it could be a way of saying thank you.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I mean, I’m sure she won’t even say yes.” She whipped out her phone and left Conrad and Jae alone, trying not to wonder if her brother was veering into dangerous territory.
Come over for apple pie?
Unless your house is getting egged.
She flopped down on the guest bed, her chest warm from the heavy food and copious wine.
Just remembered you hate apples.
And because she couldn’t help herself:
Sorry for making things weird this afternoon.
She wanted to say more, to explain herself. But she figured that might just enhance the weirdness. A minute later, her phone vibrated.
You know I don’t mind weird.
MC smiled, thumbs flying.
Okay, apology rescinded.
Are you drunk right now?
What?? How do you know?
Just an instinct.
Based on?
Party persona.
You only ever came to one of my parties.
One was enough to know you’re a chatty drunk.
At least until you get your feelings hurt.
Are you planning on hurting my feelings?
Yes.
Ah.
I’m not coming over.
Because it means interacting with my brother?
Or because it means interacting with me?
Good night MC.
Noraaaaa.
The thread went dead. Swearing, MC got out of bed, ready to go back out into the kitchen and see if Gabby needed help with any more dishes.
But then she remembered what Joe had said about being bold.
She took her phone back out.
Do you have any plans tomorrow? It’s my birthday. I do. But happy birthday. Tomorrow.
Crushed, MC lightly banged her head against the wall.
She had no idea what she was doing. Texting aside, it was obvious that Nora was still drawing the line at them hanging out alone together, for good reason.
She clearly didn’t want to tell MC about her runaway bestseller.
MC couldn’t decide whether this continued withholding was to be expected and therefore excusable, or whether it was unsettling and therefore a major red flag.
Her phone vibrated.
Don’t forget to take your mustache off before bed.
Wouldn’t want you to have a rash on your big day.
XO
The last two letters hit her like a one-two punch.
MC tried to calm herself. Nora was just making fun of her, as usual. She hadn’t even taken the date-bait.
“You okay?” said Gabby, poking her head through the bedroom door.
“What! Yes!”
Gabby narrowed her eyes, but she was smiling. “You’re blushing, girl.”
“I am?” MC palmed her phone. “You know, I think maybe I had too much wine.”
“You’re sexting, aren’t you?”
More heat flooded MC’s cheeks. “No.”
“Who’s the lucky lady?”
“No one.”
“MC, please!” She dropped her voice to a whisper and bounded over to the bed, throwing herself down on her side. “If I have to hear another word about Green Hills High, my whole body will shut down, and I will pass into the grave.”
“Same.” MC sighed. “But I really am just texting.”
“Who?”
“A certain neighbor...”
Gabby clapped her hands. “I am so here for this.”
“I mean, there’s nothing to be here for at the moment.”
“Let me see.”
“It’s embarrassing. I just tried to invite her over for dessert. Which she said no to.”
Gabby pried the phone away. As she read, MC sat on the edge of the bed, arms crossed.
“First of all,” said Gabby, “she is one hundred percent flirting with you. And has been for weeks. Second of all, you need to tell me exactly how you made things weird this afternoon.”
“I asked her to come to the Explorations meeting. Which she did, but seemed to regret.”
“Well, duh, I’m sure it was super disorienting for her to see you in your element again. It’s been so many years, she’s written you off as a romantic possibility—but now you’re back, and you’re just as sweet and smart as ever.”
“You give me way too much credit.”
“Why are you always being like that?” She squeezed MC’s arm. “You’re a total catch.”
“Anyone want pie?” Conrad said, sticking his head in. “Or are we satisfied with snack-size candy?”
“Pie!” Gabby said, leaping off the bed. She kissed Conrad on the cheek as she brushed past him.
Conrad turned away before MC could catch his eye.