Free Downcast by Cait Reynolds Page B

innocent” act I had perfected over the years.
    "No?" I hazarded with wide eyes and a vaguely anxious expression. "No. I don't think so. What do you mean unusual?"
    She pressed her lips into a thin line and glared off into the distance.
    "Never mind," she said. "Don't think any more about it."
    "Okay."
    The ride to school was silent, and the snow melted in the weak morning sun.
    ***
    Mom drove off almost before I shut the car door, instead of waiting to watch me safely inside the building as she always did. I stood there, jaw practically hanging open.
    Carefully, I picked my way across the pavement which was still icy despite the layer of salt on top.
    Inside, I got to my locker and tried really, really hard not to look at the mangled metal of Zack's locker. I still didn't know what to think, but I had begun to wonder how bad it would be to ask Haley what had happened. My mental checklist see-sawed. Dangerous? Possibly. Necessary? Yes. Well. Probably. Maybe. Would an answer make a difference? Maybe. Yes. No. Should I avoid Haley? Probably. Yes. Do I want to avoid Haley? Kinda. Well. Not really. But if he's dangerous? Yes. No. Yes.
    "Argh!" I groaned as I tried my combination for the third time. Clearly, I wasn't paying attention and doing it wrong, or the thing was stuck. Maybe the lock handle thingy was jammed. After one more fumbling attempt, I rested my forehead against the locker in despair.
    "Here, let me help," Zack said, appearing suddenly beside me.
    He nudged my shoulder with his, and I stepped aside, doubtful that he'd have any better luck.
    Before I could even tell him my combo, he grinned at me, then brushed the dial of the lock with his fingers and barely tried the handle. The combo clicked, and the locker slid open effortlessly for him.
    Okay, now that was freaky. I stared at my locker, then at his happy smirk.
    "What was that?" I demanded. "How did you do that?"
    Zack laughed and winked at me. "Magicians can't tell their secrets."
    "You're not a magician," I countered, fighting a smile.
    "No, you're right, I'm not. I still can't tell you how I did it."
    "Why not?"
    "Because you'll find out at some point, anyway. So, I'm going to enjoy the game a while longer."
    "What? Um, I'm sorry, I don't understand."
    "You will."
    I narrowed my eyes at him, kinda pissed off by his flippant, ridiculously cryptic words. I glanced at the crumpled metal of his locker, crushed and torn by Haley's hands.
    "You know your brother did that to your locker yesterday," I said, an odd sensation of calm settling over me even though I was frowning. I had never confronted anyone ever. Ever. Apparently, it was easier than I had thought.
    His smile shut off like someone flipped a switch, and he looked almost guilty.
    "Listen, Steph," he said, pausing oddly between words. "Don't be too hard on Haley. He can't help himself."
    "Wait, what are you talking about? What do you mean, he can't help himself"
    "Hormones."
    "Hormones?" I repeated, slightly confused.
    "Yeah...he is mmmph...this is all new for him. Hormones are a big problem."
    I stared at Zack, my mouth twitching as I tried to decide whether to laugh out loud or not. Weird, unfamiliar waves of confidence made me want to burst out laughing at him. Prickles of anger zipped and snapped underneath my skin, thinking he was now just like all the others and making fun of me.
    "It's not easy, Steph," Zach pleaded. "Give him a break. Please?"
    I couldn't help giving a short huff of incredulous laughter. Did he really think I was that stupid?
    "Do me a favor, Zack," Haley's icy voice cut through my laugh as he walked past his brother to stand next to me. "Don't do me any favors."
    "Sorry, dude," Zack apologized. "I was just trying to—"
    "No, don't. Really. Don't."
    "You're such a downer," Zack pouted, suddenly looking like a kicked puppy.
    "Ignore him," Haley murmured in my ear. "He thinks he's funny, but he really doesn’t have a clue."
    "I am funny," Zack protested. "You're the one without a