Chapter 19
Carl was in a good mood after lunch, though he kept stealing glances at Theo, who was unusually quiet, his head resting on folded arms. He wasn't the type to sleep in class, even when no teacher was around.
The door creaked open.
"Good afternoon," Robert said.
The class replied in unison, "Good afternoon, Mr. Ashton."
Carl looked up before he could stop himself. Ever since that conversation at the stairs, Robert's words had been looping in his mind. The truth was, he'd been right—what they were doing could ruin them both.
And yet… he hated how it felt, that he hadn't been the one to end it. He'd been the one chasing excuses to stay over, making it happen again and again. Maybe he was selfish. Maybe he just wanted to feel wanted by someone.
Robert's eyes caught his for the briefest moment, and in that split second, Carl felt something pull tight in his chest—then Robert looked away.
"Carl Hale, see me after class," Robert said suddenly, pointing at him.
A ripple of whispers moved through the room. Carl blinked, startled, but nodded. From the corner of his eye, he saw Theo's gaze fixed on him, unreadable.
When the bell finally rang, Robert walked out, trailed by the usual group of girls claiming they needed "help." Carl watched them go, his stomach knotting. He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear whatever Robert had to say.
He lifted his head and caught Theo still staring. Theo jerked his gaze away instantly, but not fast enough to erase the fact that he'd been watching.
---
Carl stepped into the staffroom, the faint hum of a printer filling the quiet space. A few teachers glanced up before returning to their papers and coffee mugs. Robert was by the window, pen in hand, marking a set of assignments.
When he saw Carl, he set the papers aside and gestured for him to sit. "Carl," Robert began, his tone steady and formal, "there's a writing competition coming up—regional level, outside Willow Ridge. I read your last essay, and I think you have the potential to represent the school."
Carl blinked, caught completely off guard. "I… I don't know," he said after a moment, unsure how to respond. His fingers fidgeted with the hem of his sleeve. "This is… kind of out of the blue."
"I understand," Robert replied, leaning back slightly. "That's why I want you to take some time to think about it. Talk to your parents. We'll only move forward if you both agree."
Carl gave a small nod, still processing. "Alright… I'll let you know."
"Good," Robert said, sliding a folded pamphlet across the desk toward him. "Take this. It'll give you the details—deadlines, rules, the kind of work they're looking for. If you decide yes, I'll help you prepare."
Carl took the pamphlet, the paper crisp between his fingers. "Okay," he murmured, standing to leave.
As he stepped out of the staffroom, the sound of teachers' voices faded behind him, but his mind was still whirling. This wasn't what he'd expected when Robert called for him.
---
The last bell rang, and Carl caught up with Gina and Valerie by the lockers.
He held up the pamphlet Robert had given him. "So… apparently there's this writing competition. Mr. Ashton thinks I should enter."
Gina leaned forward to peek at the paper. "Writing? Like essays or poetry?"
"Essays," Carl said. "It's big. Out of Willow Ridge big."
Valerie adjusted her bag on her shoulder. "If you want to do it, you should. Forget about whether it's 'too much' or whatever—just go for it."
Carl gave a half-smile. "Maybe. I don't know yet."
"It's not like opportunities drop into your lap every day," Gina said. "Don't overthink it."
He didn't answer right away, just shrugged as they headed out to the parking lot.
They climbed into Carl's car, and the engine purred to life.
"Okay, but I'm still stuck on the fact that we're finally going to see where you live," Gina said from the back seat.
"You're making it sound like I live in a castle," Carl said.
Valerie smirked. "Do you?"
Carl rolled his eyes. "You'll see."
When they pulled up to the Hale estate, the driveway curved like it belonged to a hotel. Gina pressed her face to the window. "Carl…" she started, stepping out. "This place is—" She stopped, her jaw dropping.
"Yeah," Valerie said with a low whistle. "Now I get why you never want to hang out anywhere else."
Carl just unlocked the door, pretending not to notice their reactions.
Inside, they wandered through polished hallways, tall ceilings, and rooms that looked too perfect to actually use.
"Do you even go in here?" Gina asked, peeking into a sitting room.
"Not unless I get lost," Carl said.
They ran into Grozel in the kitchen. She gave the girls a warm smile. "Welcome. I hope Carl is being a good host."
"He's trying," Valerie teased.
Upstairs in his room, they sprawled across the bed and floor, shoes kicked off.
"So…" Gina began, eyeing Carl. "Any progress with Theo?"
Carl leaned back on his hands. "We talked. That's it."
"That's something," Valerie said.
Carl pointed a finger at her. "Speaking of something—what about you? You've been smiling at your phone all week."
Valerie hesitated, then grinned. "Fine. I've been seeing someone."
Both Carl and Gina sat up.
"Who?" they asked in unison.
"Rodney. From your class." she pointed at Carl.
Carl blinked. "We've never even spoken."
Gina frowned. "Wait—since when?"
"Last week," Valerie said.
Gina's eyes widened. "Last week? And you didn't tell me?"
Valerie held up her hands. "I wasn't sure it was anything yet. I didn't want to make a big deal out of nothing."
"That's not the point," Gina said, crossing her arms. "You tell me everything."
Carl chuckled. "She's right, Val. This is the kind of thing friends are supposed to gossip about."
"I know, I know," Valerie said, leaning over to nudge Gina's knee. "I'm telling you now, aren't I?"
Gina huffed but couldn't hide her smile. "Fine. But I want details later."
"You'll get them," Valerie promised.
They all laughed, the tension melting away as the conversation spiraled into teasing and light jabs, the kind of easy warmth that made Carl forget, for a moment, about everything else.