“Once I got out of my head and remembered how much I dominate when in control of the ball, I stood taller.” I nudge him. “Thanks for helping.”
Milo’s hands are slung in his pockets as he walks. “I don’t know if I helped that much. It felt like I only made things worse.”
“You were just asking questions I didn’t want to answer. I wish I had skills at school that helped with my confidence.”
“What are you talking about?” Milo questions. “You’ve been working so hard on your assignments. You have nothing to feel inadequate about.”
“I don’t think becoming nerdy will help me,” I joke. “Otherwise, you’d be Mr. Popular.”
He smirks. “Thanks.”
“You know what I mean. I’m good at video games or skating, so I’m confident with the guys. School freaks me out. It’s like they’ve caged a bunch of wild animals together and are crossing their fingers that there’s not a massacre.”
Milo laughs. “Nice analogy.”
I veer off toward the locker room. “Thanks for hanging around this morning. I’ll see you later?”
He nods. “Absolutely.”
After my streak of confidence at the end of soccer practice, I feel even more concerned about going to classes. I could get the upper hand on Leah, but what about when she teams up with Dominica and Hayley in the halls? How will I respond then? Especially without Coach keeping an eye on us.
Once Camila and the other Miss Perfects come to mind, my posture droops without hope of recovery. On my way to my locker, my head stays down. Craziness filled my weekend, draining me of energy to deal with high school drama. A smile tugs at my lips, remembering the taste of Milo’s kiss.
“Yo!” a voice booms me out of my memories.
I blink hard as Kai drags me to the side.
“How was practice?” he asks.
I shrug. “Fine. Got some attitude about missing the game, as expected.”
Kai scoffs. “Pathetic.”
“They kept saying I got preferential treatment.”
Kai slings an arm around my shoulders. “That’s because you’re number one.”
“Hey Jamie,” a perky voice pops up.
Tabitha slides around Kai, waving at me while sucking through the straw of her smoothie.
I slide out from under Kai. “Oh. Hi.”
Kai smiles, hanging a thumb at Tabitha. “I was just telling Tabby about how much missing soccer has been killing you.”
Tabitha plays with her curls, looking me up and down. “It’s because of your grades, isn’t it?”
I suck in a breath, using all my strength to stop my eyes from rolling. “Yes, Tabitha. It’s my fault I’m off the team.”
“Whoa,” they both say at once.
“James, she was just asking a question,” Kai says.
Tabitha holds a hand up. “No, it’s okay. I can understand why she’d be defensive.”
I groan and yank on my backpack straps. “I gotta get ready for class.”
As I move away, Kai grabs my wrist. “Since when are you so eager to get to your locker?”
