Her jaw drops, and she just stares at me.
I shrug again. “I had good music. Running doesn’t seem nearly as bad with music.”
“That’s true. You probably ran at least seven miles.”
“Huh.” It didn’t seem nearly that far.
“How’d it feel?”
“Okay.” I never once got out of breath, probably because I wasn’t really pushing myself too hard. My legs did start to get sore toward the end, and I’m sure I’ll pay for that tomorrow.
“You should register for a half marathon.”
“Maybe.” There’s still a big different between seven miles and thirteen miles.
“We could do it together.”
“You want to run a half marathon with me?”
“Sure. I’ve never done one—it’d be a nice thing to accomplish. Leah, you in?”
Her friend shakes her head. “I max out at ten.”
“So?” Paige says, looking back at me.
“Maybe,” I reply with a shrug. “I’d need to find one and sign up and figure out how to get there … There could be some logistical challenges.” Like my complete inability to drive with a suspended license.
“There’s one in my hometown every April. The dean will give you permission, and I’ll drive you there,” she says as if reading my mind. “My dad would probably do it with us. He loves running with me.”
“Slow down there, eager beaver,” I reply, holding my hands up in front of my chest. “I haven’t agreed yet.” And the addition of her dad isn’t exactly a selling point. I’d be happy to let my one and only interaction with him be my last.
“Sorry,” she says, smoothing her hair back though I can’t find a single strand out of place. “I’m just happy to see … you … this…” She waves her hand in front of me.
“What?”
“You’re acting like a real cadet.”
It takes all my self-control not to roll my eyes. She’s right, though. I am acting like a real cadet. That right there should be enough for me to throw out the idea forever, but Mr. Needleham wanted me to sign up for more activities. He’d love to know I’m training for a half marathon. And if it’ll help me get the plea bargain, it’s probably a no-brainer. I should do it. Still, it’s thirteen miles. Thirteen miles in a car can take a while. Can I seriously go from couch potato to serious runner? “Let me sleep on it,” I finally say.
“Of course.”
“Five minutes till lights-out,” Leah says, tugging on Paige’s arm. “C’mon.”
While still watching me, Paige takes a couple of steps in the direction of their dorm. “I’m proud of you, Logan.”
She waves goodbye and then takes off at a sprint with Leah by her side.
I stare after them for a couple seconds and then realize I need to do the same or face the wrath of Jernigan. I bolt to my dorm and up to my room in record time.
Peering out the window, I see the two of them as they slip through the door. The windows in the stairwell allow me to watch them run up two flights before disappearing through another door. I continue staring as lights start to dim in each of the rooms. In one room, however, the lights go on and someone peeks through the blinds. I’m too far away to see the person’s eyes, but if I had to guess, I’d say they’re a bright green.
CHAPTER 18
LOGAN
The next day is Sunday, and just as I suspected, my legs are killing me. It takes every ounce of energy to haul myself out of bed for formation. Then PT is excruciating. At least study hall should bring some relief.
I plan to go to the library like usual, but the thought of sitting in a hard wooden chair is too much. Instead, I spread out on my bed with my books scattered around me and start with the three chapters for my literature reading.
Just as Winston and Julia are apprehended by the Thought Police, there’s a knock on my open door and Noah walks in. “Hey, man.”
“Hey,” I say, sitting up and lowering the paperback.
“You helping out with the haunted house tonight?” he asks.
I nod. It’s Halloween, and apparently Wallingford has a tradition of turning itself into a haunted house for local kids. Each classroom is transformed into a different scene and cadets dress up and act out short skits in each as the children walk by.
“Want to help me? We finished decorating our room last night. It’s for the teenagers, so lots of gore.”
“What’s the theme?” I ask.
“Mad scientists experimenting on human subjects.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“Yeah, should be. We need one more person. Do you think Paige would do it?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I can ask her.”
“Thanks,” he says. He starts to turn around, then stops himself. “You don’t have to answer this if you don’t want to, but are you two … like a thing now?”
I laugh at his seriousness. “Uh, no. I don’t think Paige will be a thing with anyone for a long time. Maybe ever.”
“Really? She’s been acting so differently the last couple of weeks. I just assumed…” His voice trails off, and he looks out the window.
“Assumed what?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” he says, focusing back on me. “I guess I thought maybe she’s chilled out because she was finally getting some.” He smirks, and I throw a pillow at him, which he easily catches before it hits his face. “I take it that’s a no?”
“Yeah, she’s not getting any. At least not from me … and I doubt from anyone else.”
He takes a step back into the hallway, looks both ways, then sticks his head inside again. “We’d all know about it if Jernigan finally got lucky,” he whispers.
He’s trying to be funny and it is funny, but the thought of Jernigan and Paige together makes my stomach churn.
“Well, my money is still on you,” Noah says. “No one else has been able to melt the Ice Queen like you. Just give it more time.”
My brows raise as he turns around. “Wait,” I say.
He looks over his shoulder.
“Never mind.” I shake my head. I don’t want to get into a discussion of me and Paige. Yes, I find her hot. Yes, I’m starting to really enjoy spending time with her. Yes, she likes my smile and eyes. But there are about a million reasons to leave it right there. Which is what I need to do.
We say bye, and then he crosses the hall to his own room.
I try to focus back on my book, but he got me thinking of Paige, which reminds me I need to make a decision about the half marathon. Last night, before bed, I was leaning toward doing it, but now that my body is dealing with the aftermath of seven miles, I’m not so sure anymore.
Although if it helps with the plea bargain, it’d be worth it.
I could sit here all day going back and forth or I could get an answer immediately. I grab my phone from my desk and dial my lawyer’s direct number.
“Hello?” he answers.
“Hi, Mr. Needleham. It’s Logan Evans.”
“Oh, hi, Logan. How are things?”
“Fine.”