Chapter 41: Dirt

Chad lived in the nicest part of town. His driveway had a fountain in it and, for whatever reason, his family had imported a cactus for their garden. We found five briefcases by the front door in different shades of brown. They had been flown in from Milan for Chad's dad. I was staring at them when Luke touched my arm and led me across the marble foyer. Large glass doors opened out into a luxurious garden. I had no idea Chad lived like this. There was a blue pool with a blowup white swan floating in the middle. His friends were sitting in the shade, surrounded by cactus trees and flowers in bright blue pots. "You're back," Oma greeted him, as she relaxed under the shade of a fashionable straw hat, "You've been too busy for us, Luke." I recognized Oma from school. She was a super popular senior and head of the Chemistry club. Her best friend was Bianca. "Does everyone know Millie?" Luke asked, slowing down so that I was in front of him. I felt expo