The avenger had to eat lunch, and since there was only one hallway leading to the cafeteria, I stationed myself there for all the lunch periods. She had been at school this morning to put the photo in Jack’s locker. She had to be here now.
People noticed me sitting in the hallway. I had a book open, to pretend to be studying. But really I was studying them. All the patterns that you found incomprehensible. All the patterns that overwhelmed you. You thought they spelled the Truth. And I’d believed you, far longer than I should have.
Red shirt. Blue shirt. White shirt. Black shirt.
First lunch period came: nothing.
Blue shirt. White shirt. Black shirt. Black shirt. Blue shirt.
Second lunch period came: When I saw Jack, Katie, and Fiona, I looked down, hoped they didn’t see me. The only person who said hello was Charlie, and I figured Katie hadn’t told him anything.
Pink shirt. White shirt. Yellow and green stripes. Black shirt. Black shirt.
Third lunch period. I was hungry. This was my last chance, and I hadn’t seen her yet. Still, I had to eat. I went into the cafeteria and it was so strange—I’d always had second lunch, so it was like they had taken all the people I knew from the cafeteria and switched them with strangers. All the wrong faces were at all the right tables. I scanned around, acting like I was looking for a place to sit, but really looking for her.
Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.
I know she exists. Like I exist. Like Ariel exists somewhere.
Nothing.
Nothing.
I finished my lunch.
Nothing.
Put my tray away.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Went back into the hallway.
Looked at all the people leaving.
Nothing.
Nothing.
And then