Page 51 of Road Queens
“Who spits?” New Girl seemed equal parts amused and taken aback. “We’re in high school next year, and you’ve gotta worry about getting spit on?”
“We don’t worry, because we’re not responsible for anyone’s spit. Wow, you really nailed him.”
“I’m shocked he didn’t see it coming. I mean, whyelsewould I step in close like that?”
“He didn’t seeyoucoming,” Sidney chortled. “Most people know not to mess with him. So he wasn’t ready.”
“This is gross,” Amanda declared, examining Sidney’s hand, still stuck fast. “But amazing! It’s thermal conductivity in action.”
“This is not the time for a science lecture, Amanda!”
“Agree to disagree.” Amanda cleared her throat. “Jeff’s twitching. Is he gonna choke on his puke?” And as Sidney craned her neck to see Manners, who was still writhing and groaning, Amanda yanked her hand off the streetlight.
“Fuck!”
“Sorry, Sid. I figured it’s easier if you don’t know it’s coming.”
“Well, that’s a goddamned lie. And don’t call me Sid. How many times do I hafta tell you?”
Amanda blinked. They knew each other and had a couple of classes together, but she’d never spoken to Sidney beyond “Can I borrow a pen?” “This is the first time you’ve told me.”
“Oh. Well. Going forward, then. Name’s not Sid. It’s Sid-nee.” To the new girl: “Hey. I’m Sidney Derecho. Thanks.”
“Glad to help.”
“You’re in our grade, right? You and I don’t have any classes together.”
“We do,” Amanda piped up. “She and me, I mean. We’ve got fourth-hour health and seventh-hour study hall.” Where she’d observed Cassandra behaved the same way in each class: kept her head down and readELLE,Vogue, andCycle World. Teachers loved to try to trip her up by calling on her when she had the mag out. So far, New Girl had shown she was a handy multitasker. Hadn’t missed a question yet. If she kept it up, then Amanda might have some real competition for valedictorian.
Cassandra, rangy and lean, with shoulder-length dark-brown hair and light-brown eyes, reached out, picked up Sidney’s hand, turned it over. Her mouth tightened as she saw that it was shiny with spit and blood. “I think you’d better see the nurse—you lost some skin. I’d take you, but I’m still having trouble even finding the bathrooms in this place.”
“Fine,I’lltake me and give you the tour at the same time.”
“I’ll come too.”
“Oh, we’re all going?” Cassandra tried to play it cool but couldn’t keep the delight out of her tone. Amanda, child of an Air Force master sergeant, knew how she felt. Being the new girl was scary. She herself had been to four schools in seven years. Only her mother’s promise that this time,thistime, they were staying put through her senior year had given her the courage to be a bit more outgoing.
In other words, maybe Cassandra’s head-down attitude wasn’t about being snobby.
“Yeah, we’re all going,” Sidney replied, nodding. “This is Amanda, by the way. You probably recognize the top of her head.”
Cassandra laughed. “About as well as she recognizes mine.”
“New Girl’s a sneak reader too,” Amanda told Sidney.
“Weirdos. Sounds like you guys haven’t officially met. So, meet. Officially.”
“Hey.”
Who knew Sidney Derecho was such a stickler for intros?“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” Curious, Amanda asked, “How come you’re always reading a motorcycle mag? And fashion mags?”
“I like bikes. And I like reading a magazine founded over a century ago that covers fashionandstays relevant. In the most fickle industry in the world! Plus, Anna Wintour is a delightful bitch.”
Damn. That’s the first time I’ve heard her raise her voice and say more than five words in the two weeks she’s been here.That’swhat turns her crank? Bikes and ball gowns and bitchery?
“No shit?Vogue’s been around over a hundred years?” Sidney asked. “Not that I care. But that’s kind of cool. And the bike mags?”
“Cheaper than cars, much, much cooler than cars, and when I’m sixteen, I can just climb on ...” Cassandra sliced the air, miming taking off. “And go.” Cassandra paused, lowered her voice, then added, “I’ve been saving up for my own since I was ten.”
