Page 99 of Her Goal

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I jerk my head back because he’s the last person on the list I’d think would avidly play along with this. Mami and Abuela, they’re nuts. My sisters are conniving, but Papi is all in, too.

I go to Bathroomland only so I can check my email. Sure enough, he finally replied.

from: Hudson Roboveitchek

to:

date: October 5, 11:17?AM

subject: Re: Situationships

To My Secret Admirer,

I know.

Sincerely,

Your Secret Not-Adversary

And that’s it.I know.

What does he mean by “Not-adversary?” Does he think I like him? Hardly. The whole point of my emails is for me to havesomeone I can direct all my frustration to, so it doesn’t come out in real life. How could he possibly think I’m anything but his nemesis?

When I get home that night, the Star Wars theme song plays from somewhere in the apartment. While I don’t get maverick, rogue interstellar smuggler vibes from Hudson, those famous words spoken by the Han Solo character to Leia after she professed her love for him echo in my mind.

I know.

30

HUDSON

While waitingto board the plane back to Nebraska after a winning game against the Wisconsin Warriors, I check my email.

My secret adversary, who I’d like to think is actually my secret admirer, replied to my last one and I quickly read it.

from:

to: Hudson Roboveitchek

date: October 7, 5:39?PM

subject: Re: Re Situationships

Dear Dirt Licker,

I know?I know?

That wasn’t a love letter that I wrote. I was being serious, and that’s all you had to say? I finally came clean, andI knowis what I get in response?

What about my friend who needs your advice? I’d tell you that I hope you get stranded in asnowstorm, but you’d probably just reply withI know.

Sincerely,

Your Secret Adversary

I clickthe backspace key repeatedly as I type a reply until I finally get out what I’d like to say. Busy with away games, it takes me a few days because I want to choose my words carefully.

from: Hudson Roboveitchek

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