Page 25 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove

Chandani stares at her like she just grew a new arm on her forehead. “This is about that meme, isn’t it?” When TJ doesn’t reply, she shakes her head. “Girl. The meme isdead. No one even talks about it anymore.”

That’s true. It pretty much died out over Break. But...

“It’s not about the meme anymore,” TJ says. “It’s about me.”

Chandani doesn’t say anything. Her eyebrows arch up again, and her gaze slides away, like she’s holding something back.

Dread coils in TJ’s stomach. Chandanineverholds back. “What? Say it.”

Chandani taps her pastel nails against the table before speaking. “Um... okay. What you’re doing makes no sense. There’s nothing to prove. Unless you’re trying to prove you’re a freak.”

TJ blinks and narrows her eyes. She’d expected support. Instead, Chandani sounds disdainful. “You think Simran’s a freak, too?”

“Simran is... different!” Chandani snaps. “I don’t even know her, really. But I knowyou. Why would you willingly go back? It’s the twenty-first century. We don’t have to look like that anymore.”

That stings. It more than stings. “Look likewhat?”

“You know what I mean,” Chandani says icily. “Your werewolf look in sixth grade wasn’t exactly sexy.”

A long pause, where TJ just stares at her, unable to stop the wave of rage coming over her. “You’re such abitch.”

She says it louder than she means to. Conversations in the room falter for a moment. Chandani’s eyes harden, but she doesn’t say a word. She just turns pointedly back to her book. TJ turns back to hers, because she’snotapologizing for that.

But in the following five minutes, she doesn’t read a single word, and she’s pretty sure Chandani doesn’t, either, because she never turns a page.

Mrs. Scott finally comes back to end silent reading and begin the lesson. TJ barely pays attention through the period; she’s too busy fuming.

Chandani’s always been judgy, but this? It stings. They’ve been friends for a decade, ever since their parents first forced them together for a playdate. You’d think you’d give someonethe benefit of the doubt after all that, or at least not call them a freak.

As the period wears on, however, TJ starts to feel the beginnings of atinyamount of regret. Maybe she didn’t explain things properly. Maybe if she does, Chandani will listen, and understand.

But when TJ turns to her at the end of class, Chandani’s already picked up her bag and is leaving without a backwards glance. TJ’s guilt instantly swings back into annoyance. So. That’s how it’s going to be, then.

“Can I talk to you?”

She looks behind her. Liam is at her shoulder, peering down at her with his gorgeous green eyes, partly obscured by his curls.

And... he’s checking her out. She forces herself to straighten her shoulders as she stands. She still doesn’t know what to say, but she’ll hear him out at least. “Sure.”

He falls into step with her as she walks out of the classroom. “I’m sorry for what happened before the break. I wanted to give you space, but I feel really bad about it.”

She turns to face him in the hallway. “About what?”

“Making you feel bad about yourself. It was a complete dick move.” He hesitates, then reaches for her. When she doesn’t move away, he brushes his thumb over her temple. “You look really pretty.”

That gives her a rush. Either he sees the hair and doesn’t care, or he straight up hasn’t noticed yet, which is also possible. Chandani is just sharp-eyed about that kind of thing.

But that’s all speculation. The fact—theevidence—is he saidshe was pretty.This House Believes That TJ Powar can be her hairy self and still be beautiful.And Liam agrees.

Someone jostles against her on their way down the hall. Liam automatically reaches out to steady her. “Watch it,” he snaps at the kid, turning curious eyes their way. TJ becomes aware of how many people are around, including Chandani just down the hallway. TJ makes eye contact with her, but her expression is unreadable.

TJ looks back at Liam.Yeah, watch this, Chandani.

“I forgive you,” she says with her sultriest smile, pushing her chest out a bit. His eyes fall almost helplessly, and that’s when she leans in for a kiss, determined. And she gets it, right there in that busy hallway. She hopes they all see her. The girl who’s making out with the hottest boy at Northridge. Her first contention, delivered without a hitch.

And if she jerks away a little early because his thumb brushes the new fuzz on her chin, well, that’s beside the point.

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