Molly leaned over and whispered, “You are officially my idol. Just thought I’d share my reverence from this day on.” I cracked a grin at the litany. Microscope girl had a sense of humor.
After class, Molly walked with me out the door and towards my locker. I shot her a glance, wondering what was up, but she stayed at my side and even waited while I grabbed my bag.
“Something up?” I finally asked, noticing glances from the other students.
She shifted nervously on her feet. “Uh…well—”
“Out with it.”
“There’s a party this weekend. I think Justin Travers is throwing it and I was wondering—”
I had no idea who Justin Travers was. Pretty sure I couldn’t help her.
She continued, “You seem really, really nice, no matter what they say, and I was wondering…would you go with me? Or get me an invite?”
“Why?”
“Because Justin Travers is gorgeous and I’ve had the hugest crush on him since the third grade. One time he gave me his lunch. It was awesome.”
“I don’t know who he is.”
“He plays soccer and he’s on student council and he’s super gorgeous. He knows your sister, Mandy.”
“I still don’t know who he is.”
“Yeah, but I’m sure you’ll be invited to his party. You’re one of them, but you’re cool and nice. You can introduce us.”
I’d had enough. The girl was going to get crushed.
Shutting my locker, I said bluntly, “Listen. I’m not saying this to be mean, but if he’s what you make him sound—he’s not interested. In you at least. He’s going to go after little cheerleaders who give it up to be popular and have the IQ of a poodle. That’s not you.”
She was stunned and through her microscope glasses, I could tell she wasn’t even blinking.
I didn’t know what else to say, so I turned and walked outside towards my car. I might have crushed her, but it was nothing compared to what he would’ve done.
“That was pretty cruel.”
Turning I saw a skinny guy with waxy hair glaring at me.
“Who are you?”
“You can’t just treat people like that. It’s…It’s,” he sputtered, “inhumane.”
“She’s not a dog and what I did was save her from being humiliated,” I remarked.
“You really are the bitch everyone’s saying you are,” he called after me as I passed him.
I shrugged and gave him the finger, grinning as I walked to my car.
*
Wednesday passed without incident. Mandy acted like nothing was
wrong, sitting with students on student council and some of the cheerleaders. Jasmine sat at a different table with Amber, Grant, and Devon. Bryce and Tray were missing. And me, I sat alone like normal. Molly chose a different seat in psychology and the guy who’d spoken up for her had glared at me as I left school.
I loved being popular—and hated.
But I was happy. I hadn’t heard any rumors about Mandy and Devon’s break-up. I didn’t even know if it was known at school. Monday the halls had been buzzing about the cancellation, alarms, and unending music. I’d missed Tuesday, so I didn’t know what the rumors were. But Wednesday had two themes. The first was my retort to Tray in last period and the other focused on Justin Travers’ party.