I sent back a reply in our group thread, letting them know it was fine, and I’d tell them at lunch.
When the bell rang, I was the first person to enter the cafeteria and went straight back to our table. The guys rushed in moments later, and we were all seated before most of the students even entered.
“What happened?” Gavin asked first.
I wanted to lie. I didn’t want to tell him what happened because I knew he’d connect the dots, but Sky would call me out.
“He wanted to see how I was and how things were at home.”
“Why?” Noah asked with narrowed eyes.
“Because I failed a test earlier this week,” I said quietly. I didn’t need all the tables around us knowing.
“What class?” Luca asked.
“World lit. We had a final exam on the novel we were reading, and I didn’t finish.” I refused to look at Gavin.
“Why didn’t you finish?” Sky asked. “You’re usually good at staying on top of homework.”
“I just forgot.” I wanted them to drop it.
“Did he ask anything else?” Vince watched me with worried eyes.
“He wanted to make sure nothing was going on and that I wasn’t falling off the wagon or something.”
I could feel the weight of Gavin’s gaze. I finally caved and looked up, and he bit his lip, smiling. He grinned and winked when I met his eyes.
My jaw dropped, but I recovered and glared at him. He figured it out and was happy about it? That jerk.
I shook my head, and he laughed before looking away.
That tease! I thought he was going to tell me how he regretted it and that we needed to only do homework from now on at separate houses, but he was enjoying this.
“Well, I’m glad that was it. I was freaking out,” Noah said, pulling me back to the conversation.
“Me too.” I sighed.
“We’re still hanging out after school, right?” Luca leaned in and asked quietly.
I nodded and smiled at him. Some alone time with him was just what I needed to make up for this crappy day.