Blood Ties

. She was focused on their titration experiment, her dark hair falling forward as she carefully measured drops of solut

lor changes," Ellie said without lookin

ded for their lab report. Chemistry was usually his best subject, but

their class. Marco had been paired with her for the spring semester project, something about acid

on now," Ellie said, her voice dro

iolet. Their heads nearly touched over the beaker, and he cau

exact number of drops. "We sh

that transformed her usually ser

grinned back. "Science

d up their materials, eager to start their weekend. Mr. Brennan called out reminders about the la

asked, trying to sound casual as he packed his notebook away.

lie's face. "I can't. F

g okay?" M

gations." She hesitated, then added, "Maybe we

ab partners, he'd never been to her house, and she'd always declined invitations to his. He'

from the kitchen window. His father had worked hard to provide for them, often traveling for business with his ins

e asked, "Did you find your birth certific

ears it's in my dad's office somew

mething in her tone made Marco curious, but before he could a

fore Marco could respond, slipping through

his best friend Javie

at Ellie Lia like she's a chemistry equation you can'

ttered, spinning hi

already. Worst s

hat simple. We have to work toget

e neighboring locker. "You coming to Tyler's

business trip, and Mom's making h

loss. There'll be girls there

ker. "I'll try to st

ier didn't look conv

sixteenth birthday present-a sleek black Audi-waited. Another perk of being the son of a success

one. He briefly considered offering her a ride but remembered her reaction the last time he'd suggested it. Something about her father not wantin

veway of the Ricci house, noting his mother's white Mercedes already parked in fr

marble-floored entryway. The house was quiet

kitchen,

ty-five, her dark hair showing only the faintest strands of silver at her temples. She wore slim-f

?" she asked, k

certificate for that history proje

owned slightly. "Actually, why don't you wait for your fath

ect's due Monday." Marco grabbed an apple fro

right. But don't disturb anything. You

ied with what w