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I sigh, rolling my eyes. “Tell me what it is. I’ll just get it over with now so I won’t be stuck with you any longer.”

She shakes her head. “I already told you, I need you to tell me what you want first.”

“I don’t want anything other than for you to leave me alone!” I yell.

Her feet are anchored, and she stands a little taller as if she’s trying to challenge me. “I’ll find your father.”

My heart stops... for a half second, I swear. It takes me a moment to process her words—her overly ambitious promise. It’s impossible. The only person who knew him is dead. There are no clues. He’s nothing but a stranger. I wouldn’t know him from Adam.

“You”—I point to her petite oddball self—“are going to find my father?”

She nods, holding her chin up high. “I already told you, I’m good at finding things. It’s my talent. Ask anyone at school. I’m not lying.” She tries to make herself seem taller bystraightening her back, but she’s still the same person. She isn’t fooling anyone.

“You know what? Fine. You do that. Go find my long-lost father.” If she insists on doing something for me, I’m going to give her an impossible task. Something she’ll never be able to accomplish. That’ll keep her busy. Keep her away.

Her mouth falls open. “R-really? Just like that?”

“Yeah.” I lean in, casting a shadow over her. “But don’t you dare show your face again until you find him.” I won’t have to see her for a very long time if she agrees to this. It’ll practically guarantee a Margo-free future.

She staggers back. “We go to the same school. We have three classes together.”

“Not my problem.” I cross my arms, proud of my plan. My only regret is not coming up with it sooner. “Deal?”

Part of me expects her to turn around and leave, but instead she thrusts her hand out. “Deal.”

I scowl at her hand.

“Come on. Make it official,” she says. She shakes her hand in front of me as if doing that would make it more appealing.

“No.”

She tilts her head, pinching her lips together in an irritated frown. “The second you shake my hand, I’ll leave.”

I’m so done with her. I glance around, making sure no one is here to witness this horrific scene, then I set my hand in hers. My hand buzzes from touching hers. It’s a strange feeling after going so long avoiding other people. I shake her hand as fast as humanly possible before pulling back. “There. Now leave.”

“Gladly,” she says with a smile that takes up her entire face.

Without skipping a beat, I turn and walk away.

I clench my hand as I walk inside, still feeling Margo’s effect.

Once inside, I lean against the hallway wall and close my eyes. My breathing is still heavy, and my heart is pounding in my ears.

Olive joins me with a curious grin. “So what was that about? Margo’s your friend?”

“Shut up.”

“That handshake, though . . .”

A chill runs down my back, but I shake it off. “Don’t you have anything better to do? Like playing with dolls?”

She glares at me and shakes her head. “You’resofunny.” In her hand is a script from her drama class. “Do you want to help me practice the lines for my audition?”

“Can’t,” I say. “I’m busy.”

She crosses her arms. “With what?”

“Breathing.” I push past her and walk back toward my room.