Chapter 50

"You're going to get the information, and then he's bringing you right back here. Do you understand me, young lady? Right back."

"Yes, mom."

I brought home the note, and not surprisingly, she wasn't convinced. She called the number and spoke with Mr. Mitchell who confirmed that he's asking students to collect real-life data on the weekends and after school. Then, mom called the school the following day to speak to him again, just to make sure he was the real Mr. Mitchell. I'm not sure why she thinks I'd go to such lengths to lie when I've been honest with her every time.

"Do what you need to do and come back here. No...funny business."

I suppress the urge to laugh at the phrase, forcing myself to be mature about it. "No funny business. I promise."

The doorbell rings.

"Autumn," my mom says, and I hold my breath, waiting for her to change her mind. But she doesn't. She gestures me ahead and then crosses her arms, his brows pinching.

I open the door.

There he is.

Alex.