CHAPTER 12

PANCAKE STRADDLED HIS BIKE and eyed the bikes locked to the racks. One of them had to be Hudson’s, but there weren’t many left. No way Hudson slipped out ahead of him. Pancake rubbed his hands along his thighs to get a little friction going. He should have worn a warmer jacket. Actually, he should have stayed with Hudson after Cutter’s class. What if he’d been cornered by Zattora —or Wolfe himself?

Should he go inside and look for Hudson? But then he’d risk missing him, and Pancake wanted to be seen waiting for him when Hudson did come to the bike rack. Pancake pulled out his phone and checked for a text. Nothing.

He scanned the exit doors again, and then went back to his phone. Tapped the YouTube app. He pulled up his account and scrolled through his recent postings. Build a Burrito That Will Stay With You All Day actually got sixteen views —in a week! That was impressive —for the clips he’d posted anyway.

He was itching to make another video, but what? Maybe he’d do some brainstorming with Hudson. They could film and post things together —if he was into that.

When Pancake looked up, students were leaving the building in sputters and burps. Only three bikes were left in the rack. Maybe Hudson didn’t ride his bike today. Maybe he just said that to get Pancake to back off. Maybe Hudson was just looking for a polite way to get away from him. The more Pancake thought of it, the more sure he was.

The last wave of buses lumbered out of the parking lot like a string of painted circus elephants. Pancake sat on his bike, feeling like a clown. “He ditched me.”

Pancake backed his bike away from the rack, pushed off, and pedaled. Put his weight into it —but not his heart. He’d been loco believing Hudson wanted to be his friend.

“Okay, Hudson. I got your message.” Loud and clear. If Hudson wanted distance that bad, Pancake would give it to him.