In Between Codes

Chapter 7

The next day, Tomy walked into school again without his earpiece. He still didn't want to talk to Samantha.

As he stepped through the front doors, Laura spotted him from across the hall—and her expression instantly turned to horror. She rushed over.

"Tomy," she whispered urgently, eyes wide, "where's your makeup?"

He blinked, confused. "What?"

Then he noticed it—Laura was wearing makeup in the exact same style he'd worn during practice the day before. Same colors. Same contour. Same cat-eye and smoky eyeshadow.

His stomach dropped.

"Oh no," he muttered.

"You thought she meant just the girls, didn't you?" Laura asked, reading his expression.

Tomy nodded slowly, the panic setting in. "She said, 'we should all wear it,' and I thought... I thought she meant the team. As in, the girls on the team."

Laura gave him a pointed look. "Did she mention any exceptions? Are you on the team?"

"...Yes."

"Exactly." She looked over her shoulder, scanning the halls. "This is bad. Try not to let her see you until you've fixed it. In the meantime, look for a way to get your makeup on."

"I'd help, but I left my stuff at home," she added apologetically.

"Thanks," Tomy mumbled, heart pounding.

He made his way to first period, nerves buzzing. Every corner felt like it could be the one where Stephanie would suddenly appear. He wished Samantha was in his ear right now—she'd know how to help him avoid Stephanie, maybe even help him find Anja. Right now, Anja was his only real shot.

The morning dragged on, a blur of half-listened lectures and stolen glances at every passing face in the hallways. Luckily—or maybe unluckily—there was no sign of Stephanie. But Anja was nowhere to be found either.

Until lunch.

He spotted Anja across the courtyard, sitting with a group of her friends. Seniors. They looked cool and unapproachable, laughing loudly at something he couldn't hear.

Tomy hesitated. This was going to be awkward.

When Anja spotted him approaching, she greeted him with a warm smile. "Hey, girls—this is Tomy," she said brightly. "He saved my life yesterday. Thanks to him, I passed the exam!"

The other girls at the table gave him amused, curious looks—some raised eyebrows, others smirking—but they all smiled and waved hello.

Tomy gave a small, awkward wave back.

Anja turned her attention to him. "So, what's up?"

Tomy glanced around nervously, lowering his voice. "Uh... could we maybe talk in private?"

Anja shook her head. "Nope. I'm with my friends. If you have something to say, say it here."

Tomy swallowed hard, cheeks already warming. "Okay. Um. So... the cheerleaders... they, uh... they really liked your makeup. Like, a lot. So much that they all want to wear the same look for the upcoming competition."

Anja's expression lit up. "Seriously? That's awesome! I'm flattered. Really happy they liked it."

Tomy hesitated, then added, "Yeah, and... I'm part of the team. So I have to wear it too."

Anja tilted her head, not quite following. "Okay...?"

"I mean—I don't know how to do it. The makeup. And I was wondering if you could maybe... teach me? Or... do it for me again? Just for today."