Chapter 3
I breathed a sigh of relief.
Seemed like every time I ran into Thaddeus, he saved me from some mess.
Last time was summer after graduation. I sat nervously in the Morales family living room, waiting for the old man.
Thaddeus appeared first.
I shot up immediately.
He smiled gently. “Relax. I’m Vincent Morales’s grandson-Thaddeus.”
I knew. He was famous at school.
I twisted my shirt hem anxiously. “I’m Luna Voss.”
He poured me tea. “You’re early. Grandpa pulled an all-nighter gaming-he won’t be up for hours.”
I stammered, “I can wait.”
“Play chess with me?”
I blinked.
Thaddeus Morales. National chess champion.
He pulled out a board. “Heard you were good back in middle school.”
We played all morning.
He made me feel calm when everything else was chaos.
Same now.
“Can I submit the form later?”
Don’t fill it out yet. Don’t tell anyone. Don’t let Camden know.
I had a feeling he’d lose it if he found out.
Thaddeus agreed.
After a pause: “Let me know if you need help.”
Last day to submit team forms, I got fired from the coffee shop.
Manager hinted I’d pissed off the wrong person.
I stood outside the shop, lost.
Nowhere to go.
Rain fell silently.
But my mind was chaos.
Visited Mom at the hospital. She lay there quietly.
Aging fast, barely recognizable.
The Fosters said she was going to play poker that day.
Why bring my mom along?
Camden texted.
“Come to Cheers. I’ll give you a grand.”
I replied, “Transfer first.”
Cheers was the bar near campus.
Sharp alcohol smell mixed with pounding music.
Camden waved me over. “Here.”
I sat beside him.
The seat was still warm. I started to get up, but he pressed down on my shoulder.
Why didn’t you come to me?”
He leaned close to my ear.
Without coming back, anyone teaming up with you?”
Think Professor Smith will let you work alone?”
said nothing.
He bit my earlobe viciously. “What gives you the right to stay quiet?”
To act like nothing happened?”
To pretend everything’s fine?”
Marcus Voss is dead!”
Helen Reed’s a vegetable!”
pressed my lips tight, biting my cheek until I tasted blood to mask the pain.
Sophia came back from the bathroom to find someone in her seat.
She stormed over and threw her drink all over me.
‘Get up! That’s my spot.”
Chapter 3
I was almost grateful.
“Okay.”
One word, and blood filled my mouth.
As I stood, someone tapped Camden’s shoulder.
Looked at me strangely.
“She… teamed up with Thaddeus Morales.”
