“Oh, come-on, Hails,” Grant sighed, “you know he would never even step foot on the court if he wasn’t Principal Jordan’s son. The guy was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.”
Grant and Hailey disappeared around the corner of the bleachers, and, for a long moment, they just stared at one another.
“I’m not impressed!” Hailey declared.
“Well, pity, my latest attempt to woo you hath failed,” Grant shrugged sarcastically.
“I mean it, Grant,” Hailey scolded. “Would it kill you to resist one snide remark every now and then?”
“Oh, trust me, I show considerable restraint,” Grant nodded confidently.
“I just don’t get it,” Hailey frowned. “You’re amazing in every way. You’re sweet; you’re kind; you’re caring, but, for some reason, you don’t want that secret getting out.”
“Hailey,” Grant sighed, “when I made the decision to stay, it had everything to do with figuring out what is going on between us and nothing to do with anyone else. I know these guys are your friends, and that’s fine, but…”
“I’m not asking you to hang out with them outside of school and team obligations,” Hailey argued insistently, “but, for me, can’t you just be a little less of a smart-aleck and a little more of the sweetheart I know you to be.”
“For you, huh?” Grant smiled.
Hailey winked at him as she wrapped her arms around his waist to hug him. “Please?”
“Okay,” Grant sighed, hugging her, “you got me. I know I can be stubborn, but I like that you believe in me, even if the primary reason seems to stem from the fact that you’re too trusting and goodhearted to know any better.”
“If having faith in you is a mistake, then I guess I’m going to find it out the hard way,” Hailey declared.
Grant kissed the top of Hailey’s head. “What do you say we get back before we blow our cover?”
Hailey glanced up at Grant and smiled. “You might have chains around your heart, Grant, but, someday, someone will find the key.”
As Grant watched her walk away, he could only nod as he closed his eyes and massaged the temples of his head.
Paul worked in the school office during fourth period, and, since there wasn’t much to do, he was usually just asked to straighten papers or dust the desk. This particular day, his eyes fell on the file cabinet, curiosity got the best of him, and he couldn’t resist taking a little peek. He checked to make sure no one was coming, and, once the coast was clear, he began glimpsing through the file folders. When he ran across a large, red folder, reading COHEN, GRANT, he just couldn’t resist a peek. As he began to scan through the papers, he knew he had struck gold.
Grant was standing in front of his locker, thumbing through a spiral notebook, looking for his fifth period homework when Paul walked up practically licking his chops. Hailey and Misty were standing next to Misty’s locker when Paul zoomed past without so much as a word.
“Hey, Cohen?” Paul called.
“How may I help you, Mason?” Grant said, not looking up from his notebook.
“We need to talk,” Paul said, grabbing Grant’s arm. “It’s about Hailey,” he added.
“What about her?” Grant shrugged, stepping away from Paul.
“She’s my friend,” Paul began.
“Congratulations,” Grant said as he tossed his notebook into his locker, slammed the door shut and started to walk away.
“I want you to stay away from her,” Paul said sternly, as if there was an unspoken threat attached.
Hailey and Misty walked toward the boys. “What’s going on?” Hailey asked, glaring at Paul.
“Hailey, there are some things about Grant I think you should know,” Paul insisted.
Grant glanced questioningly at Paul, wondering what he could be talking about. “Oh, great oracle of Hope Hull High, what great maxim shall you impart upon us today?” he asked sarcastically.
“I read your disciplinary file,” Paul nodded with a fake smile.
“What? You read his file?” Misty exclaimed.
“Well, most of it,” Paul nodded, undeterred by his girlfriend’s implication that he had done something wrong. “I couldn’t get through all of it…it’s pretty thick…huh, Grant?”
“What’s your point?” Grant replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
“Just as I suspected all along, this guy is nothing but trouble,” Paul said as he turned to Hailey. “He’s bad news, Hails.”
“Yeah, and if you’d read enough, you’d know you’re messing with the wrong guy,” Grant said confidently.
“See what I mean,” Paul pointed. “He just threatened me! He’s a real punk, Hailey, and I’ve got proof.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Hailey shrugged.
“You’re the one living with a criminal,” Paul sighed as he put his hand on Hailey’s shoulder. “Hailey, I’m concerned about you being in the same house with this guy… I’m talking fraud, multiple assaults, disorderly conduct…arson.”
“Espionage and treason,” Grant added with animated sarcasm.
Hailey turned to Grant. “Is he lying?” she asked hesitantly.
