a list of universities a mile long. I had no idea there were so many places I could major in chemistry just in Pennsylvania! See you in class.” She bolted for the door. And prayed that it was what any other high school student would do, and that her being in Mitch’s office so early wouldn’t draw attention to her.
The next several days were like any other school day, save for Nika trying to comprehend all that had changed since she’d wandered these same halls over a decade ago. Gone were the blatant Christmas decorations, replaced by generic wintery lights and garland. One hallway of the large school had tables and bulletin boards dedicated to the several different holidays celebrated by students this time of year, including Hanukkah, Kwanza and Christmas. What hadn’t changed was the fun air of expectation—a long school break was near, and the big dance would put an exclamation point on the anticipation.
When the bell rang after each class, Nika did her best to look like all of the other kids fighting to get to their lockers, change out books and report in to their next class. All in four minutes. With a high school as large as SVHS she wondered how any of the students ever made it to class on time. How had she done it?
Since she was only interested in Mitch’s class for the case, and the other kids thought she was doing special assignments for Mitch, she was spared the genuine worry of making it to class on time. It would have been a nightmare, because if she were late she’d bring attention to herself. Every extra bit of attention was a risk at being discovered.
Each time a kid or teacher looked at her funny, she worried they were going to shout out, “Hey, aren’t you a cop?” or “Didn’t you give me a parking ticket last month?”
Her second Thursday at Silver Valley High she was on her way to Mitch’s classroom when she realized she needed to use the restroom. She ducked into the nearest bathroom and smacked into a woman dressed in yoga pants, a polo shirt with the school’s mascot emblazoned above her left breast, and a referee whistle.
Kristine Rattner, one of the high school’s four physical education teachers. Kristine had graduated with Nika. Please don’t let her recognize me. Kristine had been the girl Nika had wished she could be back in school. A cheerleader, her classmate had always been perfectly made-up, and a cute-boy magnet.
“Excuse me, young lady. Don’t be late for class.” The leggy blonde crossed her arms in front of her and Nika looked away. Crap. This was too close for comfort.
Recognize her? She’d never even noticed her all those years ago.
“No, ma’am. I have a pass.” She held up the pass she’d obtained from the principal when she’d started to prepare to go undercover. Other than Mitch, Principal Essis was the only person in SVHS who knew Nika was an SVPD officer.
“What grade are you in?”
“I’m a new transfer senior.”
“I thought so. I don’t recognize you. I’ve had all of the senior class at least once since they were freshmen. Where are you from?”
“My family just moved here from Iowa.”
“Huh. You look familiar. Do you have cousins who went here?” Kristine stared at her and Nika did her best impression of a distracted teen, refusing to meet her eyes.
“No.” She made a show of shaking her leg. “I have to go really bad.”
“Very well.”
Nika locked herself in a stall, grateful for the small but significant barrier.
Apparently she’d done a good job of reassimilating into a teenaged population. Maybe too good. Did Mitch think she looked like the mousy teen she’d been?
Get over it.
The bathroom was empty as she washed her hands and checked the makeup she’d carefully applied this morning. No, there was no reason Kristine would remember her from ten years ago. She’d never worn makeup as a student, and she’d been much meeker around teachers back in the day.
Heading back into the hall she hoped this last class period would go more quickly than the last seven. Being a high school student again was exhausting.
* * *
“You really like the Rainbows, huh?” Nika hoped she kept her expression as neutral as possible. Rachel was the smartest kid in the senior class, according to Mitch. Which made Nika all the more determined to get to the source of Rachel’s misery and discontent.
“Yeah.” Rachel didn’t bat an eye as they sat across from one another in the back corner of Mitch’s classroom, where he’d set up a sofa and two easy chairs. She’d noticed that during the chemistry classes he allowed some of the students to sit here if they preferred, as long as they continued to actively participate in class. It made a great place for students to hang out after school.
The last bell had rung and other Rainbows members were straggling into the room, many of them with heavy backpacks.
Mitch had told her that while not all of the Rainbows identified as LGBT, many of the members were interested in showing support for their friends or family members who were. So she figured she could join the club without it raising any suspicion. So far no one had questioned her about her attendance at the meetings.
“Hey, everyone. Shane and Erika should be here shortly—they have the funds to get pizza and sodas from the cafeteria. Jon, do you want to go ahead and open the meeting for us?”
“Sure, Mr. Everlock.” Jon, a tall boy with a crew cut and Philadelphia Eagles sweatshirt slid into a desk positioned to face the group of approximately twenty-two kids. Nika had counted. She figured in a school of almost two thousand kids, this was a good turnout.
“Last month we voted to use our treasury to host a welcome party for any transfer students in January. We have a month left to plan but first we have a new item that we need to take care of. As you know, all the Silver Valley clubs and sports teams are eligible to host a table at the Silver Bells Ball, to help raise money for charity. Like last year, the school has voted to raise money for the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign. It’s a good cause. But we have to raise the money to pay for the table rental. Does anyone have any ideas on how we can raise this money, and is anyone willing to be on the committee for it? Any volunteers?” Jon spoke like he’d been leading groups his whole life. Nika didn’t think she’d ever been so together in high school.
“I’ll take care of the decorations.” A girl with hair dyed black with purple tips raised her hand.
“Okay, thanks Trish, that’s great. But first we need to know what we’ll sell, and when. Anyone else?”
“I can pick up supplies. I need someone to give me a list, though.” The boy who hardly spoke in chemistry class smiled.
Nika watched as students who’d shuffled into the room perked up as the hour went by and they planned for the Silver Bells Ball. Mitch stayed in the background, sitting on a stool at the lab counter. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up, exposing well-defined forearms. She forced herself to look away, only to meet Rachel’s astute gaze.
“Do you have a thing for Mr. Everlock?” Rachel’s query sounded more like an accusation
