"Explain to me again why we're hiding in a bathroom?" Dom complained.

"Because it's the only place Theodosia can't go!" I insisted, leaning against the sink.

As soon as I'd realized my notebook was gone, I'd blocked Theo's number and vowed to hide in my room for the rest of the weekend, faking sick. Mom let me do it, since it was a weekend, but had immediately vetoed the idea of me missing school.

"This is what you get for being a weirdo." Dom said casually.

"You are not helping!" I snapped.

He shrugged and checked his watch. "Okay, we have a minute to get to class. Just to make sure your dumb freakout brain is still functioning enough for class: where are we going?"

"English." I picked up my backpack. "Meet me in the Science wing bathroom after third period."

Dom rolled his eyes. "You're so weird. Just talk to her about it!"

"No way dude!" I walked over to the bathroom door, taking a deep breath. "Ready? Go!"

"Weirdo!" Dom called after me as I raced to our first class.

I took my seat and immediately buried myself in my book, just in case Theo happened to be in the room.

"Her first class is literally all the way across the school, I don't know why you're panicking so hard." Dom commented as he dropped into the seat next to me.

"She could be looking for me!" I insisted.

"You're overthinking this. Who cares if she found the notebook full of drawings of her. And poems of her. And a song you wrote for her-"

"You- Are- Not- Helping."

He snickered. "No, you're right, it's probably pretty bad. But like I said before, dude-"

I cut him off. "I know, I know. That's what I get for being creepy."

"Yep." He said cheerfully as the bell rang, signaling class starting.

-----------------------------------

"See, you lived through Algebra." Dom pointed out when I walked into the science wing bathroom.

I groaned. "Yeah, by bolting as soon as we were dismissed and literally running full speed to my next class to pretend I had a question to ask the teacher. Also, you were there. My next class I have with her and you have History."

Dom shrugged. "You'll be fine. Just take a few deep breaths."

I did so, then shook my head. "She's gonna think I'm so weird, dude, I don't know what to do-"

"If she asks, just tell her you like her. It doesn't have to be suave and practiced, Phil, just get it out there." Dom shook his head. "You're so jumpy."

I just made a face in response and turned to the sink to splash some water on myself.

"Aaaaand.... one minute until next class." Dom was just looking up from his watch when I glanced at him. I snatched my bag and nodded.

"See you at lunch."

"See you, weirdo."

I made it to class with seconds to spare. Mrs. Holm looked up as I shut the door at the same time the bell rang.

"You know my rule, Philip. I'll allow this once since you haven't been tardy all year, but next time you have to be in your seat by the bell."

"Yes ma'am." I made my way to my seat, avoiding eye contact with Theo. She was three rows over from me once I sat down.

Mrs. Holm started her lesson on chord writing for SATB writing, but it wasn't long before someone poked my shoulder.

Katrina Mulligan handed me a folded piece of paper. She looked nothing like her dad, but her twin sister Mari did.

Curiously, I unfolded the note.

'We need to talk. ~Theo'

Crap. Crap crap crap. I debated asking Mrs. Holm if I could go to the nurse, but I knew she'd see right through that. I could pretend to get a phone call? Or maybe I could act like I didn't read the note?

So busy worrying about Theo, I didn't realize how fast the class went. But suddenly Mrs. Holm was assigning us homework and everyone was packing up.

I was the first person into the hallway, heading for the cafeteria at a pace just underneath a jog.

"Philip! Philip, wait!"

Nope. Not happening.

"I know you read my note!"

No no no no no no.

"Philip Hamilton!"

I gritted my teeth and stopped, taking a deep breath. Here goes nothing.

I turned to face Theo. She looked at me for a moment before awkwardly holding up my notebook. "I think this is yours."

"Th-thanks." I took it. Were my hands shaking? Oh Lord.

"You're a really great artist."

"Thanks."

We stared at each other for a few long moments.

"I-I'm gonna go to class." She finally said.

"Okay." I nodded weakly, clutching the notebook to my chest.

Theo looked at me for a moment more before taking two steps forward and standing on tiptoes to kiss my flaming cheek.

"I liked that poem by the way. The one on the back of the sheet music."

Then she was gone. I stared after her for a moment, then flipped open the notebook to find what she was talking about.

It was the one I'd written to our duet.