Chapter 1 1

Marco Ricci tapped his pencil against his chemistry notebook, stealing another glance at Ellie Lia across the lab bench. She was focused on their titration experiment, her dark hair falling forward as she carefully measured drops of solution into the flask. The blue liquid swirled and Marco forced himself to look away before she caught him staring. Again.

"You're supposed to be recording the color changes," Ellie said without looking up, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Right. Sorry." Marco quickly scribbled down the observations they needed for their lab report. Chemistry was usually his best subject, but lately, he found his attention wandering whenever they worked together.

Ellie had transferred to Westlake High just last semester, but she'd quickly risen to the top of their class. Marco had been paired with her for the spring semester project, something about acid-base equilibrium that would count for thirty percent of their final grade. He wasn't complaining.

"I think we're seeing the transition now," Ellie said, her voice dropping to an excited whisper. "Look."

Marco leaned in as the solution changed from blue to a pale violet. Their heads nearly touched over the beaker, and he caught the faint scent of her shampoo-something citrusy and clean.

"Perfect," he said, noting the exact number of drops. "We should get an A on this for sure."

Ellie smiled, a rare full smile that transformed her usually serious face. "You sound surprised."

"With us? Never." Marco grinned back. "Science dream team, remember?"

The bell rang, signaling the end of seventh period. Around them, their classmates hurriedly packed up their materials, eager to start their weekend. Mr. Brennan called out reminders about the lab report due Monday, his voice barely audible over the shuffle of backpacks and closing textbooks.

"You want to work on the analysis section this weekend?" Marco asked, trying to sound casual as he packed his notebook away. "I could come over to your place, or you could come to mine."

A shadow passed over Ellie's face. "I can't. Family stuff all weekend."

"Everything okay?" Marco asked.

"Just my dad. He's... strict about family obligations." She hesitated, then added, "Maybe we could video chat Sunday night? Around eight?"

"Sure, that works." Marco nodded, hiding his disappointment. In the six months they'd been lab partners, he'd never been to her house, and she'd always declined invitations to his. He'd begun to wonder if maybe she was embarrassed-not that she had any reason to be around him.

The Ricci house was impressive by anyone's standards-four bedrooms, pool in the backyard, and a view of the hills from the kitchen window. His father had worked hard to provide for them, often traveling for business with his insurance company. Marco never wanted for anything material, though sometimes he wished his dad was around more often.

As they cleaned up their lab station, Ellie asked, "Did you find your birth certificate? For the genealogy project in History?"

Marco groaned. "Not yet. My mom swears it's in my dad's office somewhere. I'm supposed to look tonight."

"Better you than me. My family history is... complicated." Something in her tone made Marco curious, but before he could ask, she continued, "Text me if you want to chat before Sunday."

She shouldered her backpack and was gone before Marco could respond, slipping through the crowd in the hallway with practiced ease.

Outside, Marco spotted his best friend Javier waiting by his locker.

"Dude, you're still doing that thing where you stare at Ellie Lia like she's a chemistry equation you can't solve," Javier said, punching him lightly on the arm.

"Shut up," Marco muttered, spinning his combination lock.

"Just ask her out already. Worst she can say is no."

Marco shook his head. "It's not that simple. We have to work together for the rest of the semester."

"Excuses, excuses." Javier leaned against the neighboring locker. "You coming to Tyler's party tonight? His parents are out of town."

"Can't. Dad's coming home from his business trip, and Mom's making his favorite dinner. Family thing."

Javier rolled his eyes. "Your loss. There'll be girls there who actually want to socialize."

Marco closed his locker. "I'll try to stop by later if I can."

"Sure you will." Javier didn't look convinced. "Later, Ricci."

Marco watched him disappear down the hallway, then headed for the student parking lot where his sixteenth birthday present-a sleek black Audi-waited. Another perk of being the son of a successful insurance executive. Most of his classmates either drove beaters or didn't have cars at all.

As he pulled out of the lot, Marco spotted Ellie waiting at the corner. She stood alone, arms crossed, scanning the street as if looking for someone. He briefly considered offering her a ride but remembered her reaction the last time he'd suggested it. Something about her father not wanting her to ride with people he hadn't met. Marco had found it strange-most parents at Westlake were pretty relaxed-but he respected her boundaries.

The drive home took less than fifteen minutes. Marco pulled into the circular driveway of the Ricci house, noting his mother's white Mercedes already parked in front. The landscapers had been by; the scent of freshly cut grass hung in the air.

"Mom?" he called, dropping his backpack in the marble-floored entryway. The house was quiet except for the distant hum of the pool filter.

"In the kitchen, honey!"

Marco found his mother arranging flowers in a crystal vase. Maria Ricci was still beautiful at forty-five, her dark hair showing only the faintest strands of silver at her temples. She wore slim-fitting jeans and a cashmere sweater that probably cost more than most people's monthly car payments.

"How was school?" she asked, kissing his cheek.

"Fine. Hey, I need to find my birth certificate for that history project. You said it was in Dad's office?"

"In the filing cabinet, I think. Or maybe the desk." She frowned slightly. "Actually, why don't you wait for your father to help you look? He's very particular about his office."

"Dad won't be home until dinner, and the project's due Monday." Marco grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. "I'll be careful, I promise."

His mother hesitated, then nodded. "All right. But don't disturb anything. You know how he gets about his work things."

His mother hurried with what was she was doing.