The Zee Files by Tina Wells

Author:Tina Wells
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: West Margin Press

Wow, Zee thought. This is way better than being a girlfriend.

11

OLD FRIENDS, NEW CONNECTIONS

Jasper Chapman met Zee at Brookdale Academy in sixth grade when her red hair blocked his view of the chalkboard in his English class. They quickly became close friends. He had performed with Zee’s band, The Beans, and threw himself into sound mixing. He’d earned quite a reputation for himself—he was the youngest person with producer credentials at Rhythm, L.A.’s biggest sound recording studio. Maybe he’d win a Grammy for sound editing before his twenty-first birthday, he liked to joke.

In the spring, before the end of seventh grade, Jasper’s grandmother became ill and the family had to return to London. Jasper’s parents re-enrolled him at The Hollows and told Zee’s parents about the school once Mr. Carmichael accepted a new job in London. Jasper and Zee swapped notes all summer about what they’d do once they were in London.

Sadly, Jasper’s grandmother passed away right at the end of summer. After the funeral Jasper returned to The Hollows after the first week of school. His teachers had been kind enough to send him the schoolwork—which included the same science and Skills for Life classes as Zee—for the first week via e-mail, which he completed at home. Now, on a crisp Saturday morning, he eagerly awaited his pals, new dorm, and old friends.

In the backseat of the Uber on the way to school, Jasper sent Zee a text: Guess who’s back in town? Jasper wondered if she’d written any new music since they last saw each other. He missed seeing her in the last few weeks of the summer as he’d spent as much time with his grandmother as he could. During the hour-long car ride to school, Zee didn’t return his text.

As Jasper rolled his bags up the two flights of stairs to his dorm room, he passed a corner single unit when he got to the top of the stairs. The name on the door said “Saint John,” and he instantly knew who was inside. Archie Saint John. Resident bad boy. Wealthy know-it-all. Jasper’s frenemy since year four. Surprised he made it here before me since he’s always jet-setting around, Jasper thought.

Jasper continued down the hallway and opened the door to his room to find his roommate with his assignment for English literature next to him. A lit candle stood on his desk while he sat on the bed cross-legged, eyes focused on the flame.

“Hello, mate,” the boy said without looking up.

“Hey, you must be Tom,” Jasper said.

“Yes, one sec, I’m just finishing this candle-gazing exercise.” Gong! A timer went off behind him. “Five minutes! Pretty solid for me. I do this before I get into my schoolwork. Helps me focus.”

“Right,” said Jasper, plopping his duffel bag onto his bed and unzipping it. His side of the room was still tidy but barren except for a few pieces of campus mail on the desk.

“Good to see you, mate,” Tom said. “Sorry about your grandmother.”

“No worries. She had a good life.

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