“You’re warning me?” Grant laughed, and instantly their relationship was on shaky ground.
“Both of you, shut-up and sit down,” Hailey grumbled.
Misty grabbed Paul’s arm and led him to the opposite side of the room from where Hailey shepherded Grant.
“Class, as you know,” Mrs. Jordan began as she started passing out papers, “we have a test today.” She stopped at Grant’s desk. “I don’t know if you have covered this material yet at your old school, so I won’t require you to take this.”
“It’s fine. I’ll take it,” Grant shook his head.
“Okay, well, I like that attitude,” Mrs. Jordan said, her voice full of praise. “You go ahead and give it a try, and if you have too much trouble, we’ll get you caught up and let you take it again.”
Grant took the test paper and began scribbling down answers. Just as Mrs. Jordan managed to hand out the remainder of the papers, he was finished. He handed his paper in, and the teacher smiled. “Did you change your mind?”
“No,” Grant shrugged. “I’m finished.”
Mrs. Jordan let out a little chuckle. “Oh, Darlin’, there is no way.”
“It wasn’t exactly rocket science,” Grant rolled his eyes.
“There is no way you’re finished already, Showoff,” Paul bellowed. “I’m always the first person finished, and I’m still on the first problem.”
“Well, take all the time you need,” Grant shrugged, “but I’m done.”
“Hey, Paul, what if he plays basketball better than you too?” Billy Wayne marveled in a loud whisper.
With one sideways glance, Paul was able to intimidate Billy Wayne into a retraction.
“Not gonna happen,” Billy Wayne grumbled, loyally squeezing Paul’s shoulder.
“Will everyone be quiet?” Hailey begged. “Some of us are trying to concentrate.”
“Amen to that,” Misty concurred.
Mrs. Jordan handed Grant’s paper back to him. “Why don’t you at least take your time and give me a solid effort? It’s not a race.”
Grant took his test paper back, crumpled it up in his hand, shot it into the trashcan and walked out the door, slamming it behind him.
“Oh my!” Mrs. Jordan gasped.
Hailey fidgeted in her chair, trying to focus on the problems on the page, but she found herself raising her hand instead.
“Yes, Hailey?” Mrs. Jordan asked.
Hailey spoke softly. “My throat is really dry. Can I go get a sip of water?”
“Sure, Sweetheart,” Mrs. Jordan nodded, and Hailey bolted for the door.
Hailey found Grant sitting outside on the front steps of the school. He heard the door open behind him but refused to turn around.
“Hey,” Hailey said, nudging him with her foot, “you can’t just run out of class.”
“I didn’t run. I walked,” Grant corrected.
“Either way,” Hailey rolled her eyes. “You have to come back.”
“No, I don’t,” Grant shook his head. “This is a colossal waste of my time. It’s a joke, and I’m not in the mood…”
“Did you really finish your test that quickly?” Hailey asked, sitting down next to Grant.
“Shouldn’t you get back inside and finish yours?” Grant replied.
“How did you work out all those problems that fast?” Hailey asked.
“I don’t know,” Grant shrugged. “I just look at them and calculate the answers in my head. It comes naturally to me.”
“That’s amazing,” Hailey sighed.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” Grant shook his head.
“So are you like Matt Damon’s character in Good Will Hunting?” Hailey pondered interestedly.
Grant grinned. “Sure, only smarter and better looking, and I can do a pretty mean Boston accent too. How do you like them apples?”
“And so modest on top of it,” Hailey laughed.
Suddenly, the door opened behind them, and Hailey glanced back over her shoulder to see her father staring back at her. “What is going on here?” he asked. “Shouldn’t the two of you be in class?”
“I’ve decided to go back to North Carolina,” Grant declared. “I’ve had about all of Hope Hull that I can stand.”
