"Oh my god, Brandon just asked me to the movies Friday," Julie announced as she caught up with Nanette outside their math classroom.

Someone brushed Julie's shoulder roughly as he passed and Julie nearly stumbled. It was the new school janitor- the one who had graduated from Mahnomen a few years back. He was a pale, reedy young man with bad skin and short, spiky blond hair. His blue uniform shirt hung loosely over faded blue jeans, and he carried a broom in one hand. He glanced at Julie, his expression blank. Then his eyes slid to Nanette as he continued walking. As soon as she met his gaze, he looked down, his mouth turned downward.

In front of them, the head janitor- a wizened man named Mr. Eldridge who had probably worked for the school since it was built- called out, "Hurry up, Chad. Time's a-wasting."

The janitor- Chad, Nanette supposed- ducked his head and hurried after Mr. Eldridge.

The entire sequence of events had passed in a matter of moments.

Julie was staring after the young janitor, eyes narrowed. "That guy is creepy," she announced loudly. "He shouldn't be allowed to work here. Like, get a real job."

The janitor gave no sign he'd heard her over the din. "Anyway," Julie continued. "Brandon wants to see that new James Bond film but, ugh..."

Nanette tuned her friend out as she watched Chad turn the corner, out of sight. Nothing had really happened, so why was she feeling so jumpy all of the sudden?

*

That evening, Nanette arrived home to see her dad's pickup already in the driveway. Of course, the one time she didn't want to see him and he got off work early.

She steeled herself and entered the house. He was at the kitchen, loading their breakfast dishes into the dishwasher. She ignored him, took a banana off the fruit bowl on the counter, went upstairs, and slammed her door.

*

Nanette held the phone to her ear, jaw clenched.

Ring.

Ring.

Ring.

"Nan?"

Hearing her mother's voice sent a wave of shock through Nanette's system so strong that she almost dropped the phone. Hand shaking, she quickly hung up. Almost immediately, her mom called her back. Nanette hit ignore, turned her phone off, and quickly got her laptop out to do some homework.