Laurinda’s anger faded, leaving her feeling sleepy. She nodded off against Adolphus’s shoulder before they even got to school. Adolphus noticed and gently adjusted the blanket around her, making sure she was comfortable.
Irvin, sitting in the front passenger seat, caught a glimpse of them in the rearview mirror. He wasn’t surprised. He had seen enough to know Adolphus had a special interest in Laurinda.
When Laurinda woke up, she was in the infirmary’s break room. She could hear the sound of the school assembly outside and shivered a little. Who holds an outdoor assembly in this kind of cold? She honestly wondered if the principal had lost his mind. Did he really want all these delicate, overworked seniors to catch a cold?
Laurinda left the break room and spotted Irvin playing a game on the sofa. She glanced around for Adolphus.
“Don’t bother looking,” Irvin said without looking up. “Adolphus got a call and had to leave. He said he’ll be busy the next couple of days. Your medicine’s in the fridge, and you’re supposed to take it on time.”
Suddenly, Irvin straightened up, looking at her with a hopeful expression.
“Are you going to The Adams Family’s place? I’m not heading back to Cabinda this week, and Adolphus isn’t around. If you’re going, can I come with you? I really like Jasper. I’ve played all the little games he made. They’re actually really fun. I want to ask him to help me write a program.”
Laurinda didn’t expect Irvin to be into Jasper’s games, or to want him to code something. In that moment, she honestly thought Irvin seemed even more interesting than some of Jasper’s friends.
She hesitated before saying, “I’m not going to The Adams Family’s, but you can come to my place. Larson and Beatrice went to Nexus for an old friend’s grandson’s wedding, so no one’s home.”
“What about Jasper?” Irvin asked right away. Jasper was clearly his main concern. If Jasper wasn’t going to be there, Irvin didn’t feel comfortable going to Laurinda’s house alone. He didn’t want to give anyone the wrong idea.
“Jasper will be home. If you want to come, just get permission to leave and pack whatever you’ll need for two days. I’m heading back soon.”
“Alright, I’ll go pack now. Wait for me,” Irvin said, then dashed out of the infirmary.

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