Page 41 of Sinful as They Come
“Sorry, Malibu Barbie.”
My eyes narrowed at her in the teeny, tiny mirror. There was only ever one person who called me that. “Oh my God. Don’t.”
Chuckling, she leaned up against the locker right next to mine. “I’m justjoking. Where were you?”
“With Principal Yorke.” Smacking my lips together, I could feel the subtle taste of cherry hitting me. “He wants the cheer team to organize a fundraiser for the football team. I was thinking a bake sale. I know, boring. But it’s a classic. And we raised so much with the last one we did.”
“We should just do another talent show,” Annie said with a shrug.
Lip gloss in hand, I held in a laugh. “As much as I wanna see you dance, last year’s one ended in disaster. They’ll never let us organize another one again.”
“It wouldn’t have ended in disaster if we didn’t let Tiffany Faulkner get on stage and do that hand sanitizer fire trick. The whole school nearly burned down. She could have ruined mySleeping Beautycostume.”
“Well, bake sales are safe and fun and no one’s eyebrows get burned off.”
“I think Tiffany’s eyebrows grew back over the summer.”
“Lucky her. What are you doing after school? Do you wanna go to the mall? I might ask some bakeries if they’re willing to donate anything. We can get macarons after if that entices you,” I said with a smile.
“God, I wish.” She sighed. “I have ballet class this afternoon.”
“Please don’t be angry at me!” Christy blurted out at me, popping up out of nowhere.
My eyes widened, taken aback by her sudden appearance. “Why would I be mad?” I replied with a bright smile. Then I saw the look on her face. She looked pale. Paler than usual. Her usually neat, red hair looked a little frizzy. The girl held a hand to her throat, looking like she was in pain.
“I gotta go home,” she said softly.
“Are you okay? Do you need a ride?” I offered.
“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Annie muttered.
Christy shook her head. “My mom’s picking me up. I haven’t been feeling well the last couple days. I’m going to the nurse’s office now. I tried to push myself, but I don’t think I can take much more school.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I gave her a concerned look. “I hope you feel better soon.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled, her eyes on the ground. “But since I haven’t been feeling so good, I haven’t really had time to work on anything for TheChronicle. I’m so sorry.”
The deadline for finished pieces for The Chronicle was tonight. I usually liked to have everyone’s completed writing by the end of the school day, then I’d head down to the library to get it all printed. But I couldn’t be mad at Christy. She looked ready to pass out any second now.
“It’s fine. You don’t have to apologize.” I sent her a kind smile. “I can write something for your column. You just go home and get lots of rest. Need me to walk you to the nurse?”
“No, no. I’m okay. Thanks, Holly,” she whispered. “I’ll see you later.”
I waved at her, watching as she took slow steps down the hall. The nurse’s office wasn’t too far away thankfully. It sucked that I’d have to do some extra work in the afternoon, but Christy looked so sick, and I had never been one to push people. I could handle an extra article.
“You still going to the mall?” Annie asked. “How are you gonna do her article too?”
I shrugged. “I’ll work it out.”
But just as I was about to shut my locker I felt a light finger on my shoulder. Turning around, I spotted Danny looking as timid as ever. He pushed his thick rimmed glasses along his nose.
“Hi Holly,” he said. “Can I talk to you about my article for The Chronicle?”
“Of course.” I nodded at him enthusiastically. “What’s up?”
“I know it’s due today, and I’m normally on top of this stuff. But I already have three essays due! They’re so lengthy, too. I’m sorry to bail on you like this.” He looked down at the floor. “But I don’t think I can have it done by today. I also haven’t been feeling the best. My throat’s killing me.”
Danny was a nice guy. I felt guilty just staring at him. I knew he pushed himself hard. Sounded like he was burnt out. Senior year was gonna be hard on everyone.
