Kai splutters a laugh. “Where’d you get that info from? It’s not her last week, and she’s not getting kicked out. It’s her scholarship she has to fight for because her aunt can’t afford the school fees.”
Tabitha hisses like she’s touched a sizzling frying pan. “Dang. I couldn’t imagine struggling because your family doesn’t have money. I don’t know how you do it, Jamie.”
What kind of back-handed-compliment-insult was that?
“I…” My hands ball into fists. Thank goodness I break so many nails, or my palms would have five fingernail-sized piercings in them. The anger builds inside, and at this point, I’m directing it at myself. If Tabitha was one of the boys, I could’ve easily dominated with comebacks. Why can’t I just lay into her? So what if she’s a girl? Why does that freaking matter so much?
“It’s not like she chose to be poor,” Kai mutters.
My chin drops. Did he really just say that? Okay, Aunt Maddy and I don’t have a fancy house, but it’s not like we have to light candles every time the electric bill is due. Plus, the cafe is pulling more business since Maddy started catering outside events. That one society event we did was worth two months' revenue.
Kai knows we’re not struggling. Why would he feed Tabitha’s narrative?
“So have you stopped being a chicken and actually read that diary yet?” Kai asks, changing the subject as he picks up a handful of fries.
I glare at him, mortified at the matter-of-fact nature he blurted that out. Tabitha looks at us with piqued interest. Camila found a poster of my mother and milked it for everything it’s worth. Can you imagine what would happen if her bestie reported back there’s a diary from my mother?
Kai drops the fries, staring at me with confusion. “What?”
My eyes widen in the glare, and I nod at the intruder beside him.
Kai frowns and looks away from me, picking up the idle fries.
I look away from the table so I don’t pick a fight with Kai. Bad feelings rampage inside me. I don’t want to take out on him what’s really meant for Miss Perfect.
My eyes wander the cafeteria, searching for a plausible excuse to escape my friends. Kylie, who works at the cafe, is sitting at a nearby table. She hunches forward, whispering behind cupped hands with her bestie. The girls are in their own little bubble and it makes my heart throb. If I had the courage to have a normal conversation with Kylie at work, maybe I could go over and say hi. Imagine how much easier life would be if I could escape to another table. Kylie and her friend aren’t scary. I’ve never heard them say anything nasty about anyone. Maybe they’d even be sympathetic if we talked about my scholarship.
But why even daydream about it? It’s not gonna happen. Anytime I attempt to talk to another girl, they look at me like I’m an alien. And the way I splutter and fumble around them, I don’t blame them. It’s just like when any of the boys stack-it at the skatepark. I point, laugh, and mock.
I guess I bring embarrassment upon myself. Why wouldn’t the girls ridicule me when I make it so easy for them?
Tabitha’s giggling brings my focus back to our table. The boys have their eyes on her, listening to her vapid story with bated breath.
I can’t stand this. How dare she invade our space and hypnotize all my friends? Somehow, I’ve become an outcast. Heck, I feel more comfortable in my tutoring session with Milo.
Click.A lightbulb flashes in my mind. I pull my phone from my skirt pocket and open up my texts. I send a message to Milo.“Hey. What are you doing?”
It’s a long-shot he’d look at his phone. The nerd probably escaped into a book.
Before I get down in the dumps, a reply pings.“I’m just in Mr. Birch’s classroom. Why?”
Called it.“I need help with something before next period. Do you mind taking a look at it?”
“Sure. Come by.”
I lift off my seat as if I'm set to launch mode.
“Whoa,” Kai blurts. “What’s with you?”
“I totally forgot about something for my next class,” I lie. “I just texted Milo for help.”
Kai’s eyebrows push together. “You’re leaving to hang with Milo?”
I roll my eyes. “Ugh. It’s not like that and you know it. I need to keep doing my homework if I want my teachers to bump up my grades.”
“Lay off her,” Tabitha says, leaning into Kai. “You know the poor girl needs every bit of help she can get.”
Does everything that comes out of your mouth have to be in that sarcastic tone? Ugh! Why can’t I say it out loud?
