Page 125 of Something Rad
And that’s the truth.
I couldn’t believe what she did up there on that stage. I mean, I had faith in the girl, but she camealiveup there. Became a whole new version of herself. The confidence was radiating off of her, and she had that entire gym eating out the palm of her hand. I know we aren’t finding out the results until Monday, but I don’t have a doubt in my mind. Cooper stole that election fair and square. I did what I could to help get her to where she was yesterday when it came to the social status and popularity aspect, but I didn’t make that speech for her. I couldn’t. That was all her. We made the cake together, but she put the cherry on top. Sheearnedit.
“Yeah, man. I mean, don’t tell him I said this,” Brad mutters, leaning in and blocking the side view of his mouth with his hand, “but she kind of left Jesse with egg on his face.”
I push my tongue in the side of my cheek, forcing myself to not respond to that statement. “Hey, where is Jesse?”
“Not sure,” Brad shrugs. “Paul was saying he was running late or something.”
“Interesting,” I state. I’m dying to ask more questions, but I refrain.
Is Jesse seriously avoiding showing his face after yesterday?
Cooper did totally wipe the floor with him, but come on. I feel like it’s way more embarrassing to hide like this. At the end of the day, it’s not that deep. Jesse’s life will go on. And a hell of a lot easier that Cooper’s would have if the roles were reversed. I guess whether or not he shows up to the dance will be the real test.
A voice suddenly comes over the loudspeaker, announcing the end of the first quarter and that Bay View is currently up 10-7 over Golden Gate High. Claps and cheers sound off throughout the stands as I sense movement to my side. I glance up, seeing Paul making his way down the stand. When we make eye contact, his steps slow.
“Hey there, Robbie,” he says. It feels like he’s eyeing me, but I try not to think too far into it.
“Hey, man,” I nod. “How goes it?”
“Alright,” he says, glancing over my shoulder. “Where’s Sara at?”
My teeth reflexively grind together. “Work. She’ll be at the dance.”
Paul's eyebrows raise, a deep chuckle coming out of him. “Work?”
“That’s what I said.”
“And what’s little Cooper do for work?”
Suddenly this conversation isn’t one that I want to have looking up at Paul. I rise to my feet, facing him.
“She works at Groovy Movie. The rental shop on Cali Avenue.”
Paul snorts. “Well, shucks. Isn’t that cute?”
I find my fists flexing at my sides. “Yeah. It’s pretty adorable, actually. She likes movies. That a problem for you or something?” I grit.
Paul’s still chuckling, not even registering what I’m saying by the looks of it. “I mean, who works on Saturday nights? Much less on Homecoming?”
I take a step closer to him, and I’m pretty positive the eyes of every one of our teammates are on us now, but I couldn’t care less. “I’m not sure what’s so funny,” I say, my voice low. “Believe it or not, Paul, some people actually actually have to work for what they have.”
Paul stops laughing, but the grin stays on his face. “Oh, like you, Summers?”
Angry heat rushes my face, and I decide to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from saying something I’ll regret later. I slowly spin back to face Billy, Brad, and Michael behind me, finding them with wide eyes, their hands all frozen in place between Billy’s popcorn bucket and their faces, like they’re watching a damn movie. I can’t help but scoff out a laugh.
“I’m gonna go grab a Pepsi,” I tell them.
They all nod back at me in unison like sheep, but I’m already turning away from them, not sparing Paul another glance as I head down the bleachers. I’m still gritting my teeth together as I reach the bottom, trying with everything in me to block out the last few minutes.
Let it go, Robbie.
I shake my head at myself. I’m not sure what makes me feel like more of an idiot: the fact that Paul just threw my own privilege right back in my face after I confronted him for laughing at Cooper or the fact that I know I would’ve been laughing right along with him if it were just over a month ago.
Hell, I would have been leading the charge.
I make it out of the bleachers and turn right, heading for the concession stand. At the exact moment I round the corner, somebody steps out of the girls’ restroom. I just catch a flash of a blonde ponytail before I nearly run smack into them.
