Chapter 4. The Weight of Secrets

Mr. Callahan started science class by handing out our midterm grades. My nerves skyrocketed as I watched him walk from desk to desk, setting tests face down in front of each student.

He was probably my only teacher who didn’t like me. I had no idea why. I always did my homework, I was never late, never skipped a class, spoke up when he asked a question…

And yet, I caught him glaring at me and Ace on several different occasions.

Regardless of his reasons, it gave me severe anxiety.

I took my grades very seriously, had a perfect grade-point average, and was determined to keep it that way. I’d need them if I wanted to go to university.

After all, besides tennis and dance, I didn’t have much else to spruce up my college résumé. And as much as I liked helping my mom in her bakery, Crumbs, I wanted to keep my future options open.

But Mr. Callahan could ruin all that. This grade was worth 20 percent of our final grade, and I was already struggling in the