Chapter 119: Rules, Shmules

ALTHOUGH I STILL HADN'T heard from Zander, I knew he'd been in my room sometime today because his bag and laptop were gone. I'd left my window unlocked, hoping he'd come get his stuff after school. I didn't think he'd miss school. But the fact that he had snuck in to get his stuff made me believe that he was okay. I'd worried that he'd gone off half-cocked and done something stupid, like accuse Peter or his father of all the awful things we'd figured out about them.

But my anxiety level rose again when he continued to ignore my text messages. Had I blown it by not telling Zander about his father earlier? Was he somewhere hurt, needing help? At some point, I realized it was the aramusatu doing its thing with me. He had to be feeling it, too. So what would keep him away? I decided to give him another day before tracking him down.

I knew one thing that would cheer me up. I hadn't told Ruthie about Maverick yet. As expected, she was thrilled. Ruthie and I spent at least an hour fantasizi