A few minutes later, Levi leaves the table and ends up in a conversation with Blake. Mr. Charming can befriend anyone. Mia and Haymitch discuss their next poker tournament. They have several other mutual friends and often join the intense chips-only games.
“Austin,” I say. “I hear you’re going to coach the G1-ers in the ways of the football.”
He reclines, elbows spread, hands behind his head. “You know it. I’m gonna make a champion team out of y’all and revel in the glory.”
Everyone laughs. G1 has a terrible intramural record. I’m pretty sure they didn’t win one football game last year.
“We have Sophie and Mia this year,” I say. “There’s actually a chance of that.”
Mia swings bent arms in a premature celebratory dance, and Sophie gives me a high five.
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Austin says to me. “I have you down for kicker.”
“How ’bout that.” Haymitch chuckles, spinning his baseball cap forward.
Apparently my lack of athleticism is obvious to others as well. Elbow on the table, I place my chin on my hand and send Austin a puzzled look.
Levi returns to the table.
“My running back here wants you on the team.” Austin nudges Sophie, who develops a glimmer.
“Come on, Kit,” she says. “You can’t miss out on the fun.”
“Ever play soccer as a kid?” Haymitch asks.
I shake my head. Everyone is staring at me now. “I mean, Ikicked the ball around with my brothers sometimes. I didn’t play sports.”
“You certainly enjoy watching them live,” Sophie says.
I send her a look and avoid Levi’s reaction.
“Pobrecita,” Mia says. “She was too busy reading five books a week and winning the mathletes competition.”
I chuckle. She isn’t too far off.
Levi’s focus beams toward me. “Enlighten us. What was Tiny Kit like?”
I hide my hands beneath my legs. “About the same. I did read a lot. I loved ballet.”
That sends half of the table into hysterics.
“You stop in the middle of the path every time you think too hard,” Sophie says. “How did you manage ballet?”
“Sounds like how readin’ poetry can help a stutter,” Haymitch says.
Noah’s dad says something like that in inThe Notebook. I wonder if Haymitch has seen that scene. It’s nice of him to stick up for me.
I shrug. “Dancing always cleared my head.”
“I can see it,” Levi says.
“Totally,” Mia says. “I thought she was joking at first, but in a way it fits perfectly.”
“When did you quit?” Levi asks.
“Two years ago.”
He edges forward like he’s going to press further, but luckily he holds back. I don’t want to discuss this in front of everyone.
