Gordy had something new in common with Hiro. Both of them were ready to skin Coop alive.
“No call, no nothing,” Gordy said. He sat at the table chowing down a burger. “How about that for a friend?”
Hiro picked at her food, like she wasn’t sure if she wanted to eat it or not. Neat little carrots in a plastic bag. Celery sticks all cut to the same length. And some kind of health-nut sandwich on whole wheat. No wonder she didn’t tear into her lunch.
“He’s changed,” she said. “It’s like his conscience is gone. Honestly? I don’t think I’d sit at his table if he were here today.”
Which was another thing that ticked Gordy off. Coop was messing everything up. How could a guy hope to keep the three of them together if he kept saying bonehead things like he did last night?
And if he didn’t keep the three of them together, what then? Where would he even fit? He’d stick with Coop, probably, but they’d both be miserable. Hiro was part of them. She belonged.
“I called Miss Ferrand,” Hiro said. “Left a message.”
“I figured,” Gordy said. “The way she hugged you before class. How much did you tell her?”
“Only my theory about Lunk and his dad.”
Gordy drained a milk carton. “Good. Coop trusts him way too much, if you ask me.”
Hiro pulled open the seal of the plastic bag holding the raw veggies, then zipped it closed again. “I feel good. Really good about this.”
Gordy eyed her. “If you feel so good, how come you’re not eating?”
Hiro looked down at her food and fumbled to open the sandwich bag. “Just thinking, I guess.”
“You going to come with me to Coop’s after school?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Not a chance. But I was talking to Ken this morning … and I have a message you need to bring him.”