Page 54 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove

Charlie tilts his head. She waits with bated breath, until he says, “You need to work on your wording. That’s not a very snappy resolution.”

She scoffs, with relief more than anything. He’s still looking at her the same. Not shying away or looking revolted.

Mrs. Scott walks up to them, now that Rajan’s sorting the files. “Got your contentions ready?”

“Uh—” TJ begins, only to be cut off.

“Didn’t think so. If there’s one thing you two are champions of, it’s wasting time.” She crosses her arms. “But I want to make one thing clear right now.”

They both sit up straighter at her tone.

“In just over two months, we’re hosting Nationals at this school. You are representing our whole region at this event,” Mrs. Scott says. “And I think you have an excellent chance of doing well—maybe even well enough for finals—butonlyif you’re not at each other’s throats the whole time.”

TJ and Charlie look at each other, then quickly away.

“Um,” TJ says. “Not a problem.”

“Good. Then let’s get started. I have a list of resources that might help you in your research...” She walks back to her desk, presumably to find it. Meanwhile, Charlie picks up their conversation again.

“So, how will you know when you’ve proved your resolution?”

It takes TJ a second to remember what they were talkingabout. “I just have to gather enough evidence.”

“Seems like a pretty big lifestyle change, until then.” He sounds genuinely interested. Maybe he sees her as a fascinating oddity now.

And that’s a good thing, she reminds herself firmly. “It is. But it’s freeing, too. I used to plan my outfits around my body hair. Now I wear what I want, whenever I want, without having to plan ahead. It used to be so much effort. Especially in the summer.”

“How long did it take you?”

She pats her hairy knee. “Guess.”

He studies her legs thoughtfully. “Twenty minutes?”

She laughs. An ugly laugh.

“I’m just going off my mom,” he admits. “She doesn’t shave that often.”

She ugly laughs again. “Shave? Do I look white to you, Charlie?”

“What’s it like, then?”

It’s a little odd seeing his innocent ignorance about an experience that was once routine for her. She remembers Liam complaining about how much time she spent in the bathroom getting ready. He had no clue, either.

An evil idea occurs to her. “Why would I tell you when I could show you?”

He blinks. “I thought you said you were keeping the hair.”

“Oh, I am.” She leans in, grin widening. “But no one said the demonstration has to be onme.”

FIFTEEN

***

In true Charlie fashion, Charlie takes the suggestion to wax his legs with enthusiasm. After their debate meeting, he peppers their chat with questions about different wax brands. TJ tells him the brand she used, although that stuffhurt. But that’s just something he’ll have to find out on his own.

Which TJ will definitely not derive any satisfaction, whatsoever, from.

A few days later, TJ finds herself at his front door, juggling a bag of supplies from home and her laptop bag. They’d agreed to meet up next at his place so they could also follow through with this whole waxing thing. Because TJ sure as hell isn’t doing that at her house. Just thinking about explaining it to her parents gives her a headache.