Page 34 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove
Snickers from the debaters. Charlie snaps his teeth at her and grins. Making a face, TJ shuffles slightly closer. He puts his arm around her shoulders like they’re buddies.
A few shutter clicks later, Mrs. Scott nods. Charlie pulls back his arm and takes his soothing ironed-fabric smell with him. The group relaxes, about to disband, when Saad nudges Yara. “Don’t you want to take a photo?”
Yara shakes her head.
“What? Really?” TJ can’t help but ask. She’d think Northridge having so many students at Provincials this year would make it a good story for the school paper.
Yara looks up at her. “No, it’s fine. I’ll get pictures from Mrs. Scott if I need them.” Her voice is unusually high-pitched. For the first time, TJ notices guilt flickering through her eyes as they dart between TJ and Simran. Oh.
There’s a brief, sticky moment of awkwardness as everyone else seems to get it, too. Predictably, Simran recovers first. “Well, if you want to take some of your own later,” she says kindly, “just let us know.”
Considering what happened last time, Simran’s kind of a saint.
“Yeah, feel free to ask for pics of me at any time. Not for the paper, but in general,” Nate adds, striking a pose. As everyone laughs, breaking the tension, Simran shoots him a grateful look. He subtly nods. Okay, maybe Nate’s not the worst.
The group finally disperses and TJ wanders to the snack table. She’s too nauseous for the dinner buffet, but a pile of pastries catches her eye. She may as well at least have a snack to boost her energy. As she’s biting into a glazed donut, someone speaks from behind her.
“Long time, no see!”
The bright voice creeps up TJ’s spine. She stiffens, wipes her expression clean, and turns around.
A grinning Jenna Turner stands in front of her, looking impeccable in a tailored grey pantsuit. Stylish, but not quite to the level of the elite debate kids, much to TJ’s satisfaction.
TJ pastes a smile on. “Hi, Jenna. How’ve you been.” The last bit doesn’t come out much like a question because, honestly, TJ doesn’t care.
Jenna flips her pin-straight blonde hair. “Oh, good. I’m a little nervous. I didn’t prep much for this tournament. I was just so busy. You wouldn’t believe how many committees I’m on. I met with the Minister of Education the other day! It was productive, but I almost wish I was back in Kelowna sometimes. Life was way more relaxed there, you know?”
TJ resists the urge to roll her eyes. Yeah, Jenna’s exactly the same.
Before Jenna and her twin brother moved from Kelowna to Vancouver at the end of tenth grade, they used to go to Whitewater. For a couple of years they dominated in their debate category. TJ, Simran, Charlie, and Nate were all fighting over second place back then, a fact she’d rather forget. “Right.” She takes a step away.
“I seriously miss it,” Jenna continues, forcing TJ to stay out of politeness. “I see people’s Instagram stories and I’m like, I miss hanging out with you guys!”
TJ is starting to get a bad feeling about this. “Mhmm.”
“Hey, speaking of Instagram, I saw you on my feed a while ago.” She lowers her voice. “There was this meme going around, did you ever see it?”
TJ freezes. Jenna’s eyes are wide and sympathetic, but TJ’s not fooled. The Turners like toying with their opponents. And not always in the debate itself. It’s a dirty play, and that’s why TJ has always disliked them infinitely more than any fleeting irritation she’s felt towards Charlie or Nate.
At TJ’s silence, Jenna leans in conspiratorially. “I guess you didn’t. It was this comparison image of you and Simran—”
“I saw it,” TJ grits out.
“Oh! Why didn’t you say?” She glances behind TJ. “It’s just awful for Simran. I haven’t seen her in a while. I should go see if she’s okay.”
Simran’s laugh floats from behind them where she’s still talking to Yara. She sounds happy, relaxed. TJ balls her fists. There’s no way she’s letting Jenna bring this bullshit back up to Simran. “Don’t youdaretalk to her.”
Jenna’s eyes get big. “Oh my god, TJ. Relax. I’m just curious what she thinks about it.”
TJ steps forward and jabs her finger against Jenna’s shoulder. She doesn’t even care that she’s playing right into her game. “If you say a single word about it, I’ll—”
She cuts herself off, remembering the tournament rules ofinteraction with opponents. Jenna seems amused.
“Okayyy.” She takes a step back. “Oh, by the way, there’s something on your—” She gestures to her upper lip.
TJ’s hand automatically flies to her face—her brain catches up too late. Jenna’s mouth spreads into a smirk as she backs away.
There’s nothing on her upper lip. Just some obvious hair that’s been growing there for several months.