Page 75 of The Surprise Play

I scan the three girls in front of me. All skinny. All beautiful. All mean.

Jade’s hair is in a high ponytail, her green eyes two laser beams ready to cut me in half. Viper Girl’s to her right, glaring at me like I’m a slug she’s just found in her salad. And then there’s Kelsey Cartman, her clawlike nails digging into her designer jacket as she looks me up and down and lets out a derisive snicker.

The only reason I know her name is because I was asked to tutor her, and after one painful session, she refused to work with me again, telling Ms. Bigsby lies about how I’d called her stupid and unteachable. Thankfully, Ms. Bigsby was smart enough to know that was bullshit, but it was still humiliating having to sit in her office and be accused of this stuff by Kelsey. Her crocodile tears made real tears fall out of my eyes as I begged Ms. Bigsby to believe me.

I don’t know what I would have done if she hadn’t.

I have no idea who Kelsey is working with now, and part of me wonders if it was all just a setup to discredit me. Maybe Kelsey never needed tutoring at all, but Jade convinced her to put her name forward just so she could ruin my rep and cost me my tutoring job.

I wouldn’t put it past my lifelong tormentor to pull something that low.

Swallowing the hot surge of bile burning the back ofmy throat, I shuffle to the side, ready to move around them, but they quickly jump in front of me.

“We need to talk,” Jade spits.

“No thank you,” I whisper, trying to dart around her again.

No such luck. Kelsey pushes me back.

I wobble on my feet but don’t fall over. Gripping my bag strap, I stare at the ground and start to count. It’s something that will distract my mind and stop me from spiraling into full panic mode.

One. Two…

I wish it would stop my heart from racing. It’s pounding so hard and fast I feel dizzy.

Three—

“Shut up and listen,” Viper Girl snaps at me.

“Wily Wilson,” Jade continues. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing hanging out with him, but that is not an option for you, okay? He’s off-limits, and this is your one warning to stay away from him.”

The tingles I’ve been fighting all morning fizzle away, replaced with a heavy disappointment.

He’s waiting for me right now.

Am I just supposed to not go?

Leave him hanging?

Glancing up, I look between the girls and feel my insides rebel against that thought. I’m not about to let the guy down. He’s counting on me.

“I’m his tutor,” I murmur. “He needs help with school.”

“I’m his tutor.” Kelsey puts on a voice, openly mocking me before cackling. “We all know what a shit tutor you are.”

Jade ignores her friend and glares at me. “He can find another tutor.”

“I’m pretty sure he wants to work with me.” I suck in a breath, bracing myself for their reaction.

“You better watch yourself, Fatty Satchwell.” Jade steps forward and I flinch, backing away from her. “You’re playing with things that don’t belong to you.”

“Last I checked, they don’t belong to you either.”

What are you doing? Are you fighting back?

Stay safe, you idiot! Just shut up and run away!

“What did you just say to me?” Jade’s eyes narrow even farther as the other two girls step in line with her. They’re like dragons, about to breathe hellfire all over my short, round self.