Page 58 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove
His slow, deliberate way of speaking suddenly makes sense. And she’s just now realizing in the conversation leading up to her blasting them with water, he’d been talking much more casually, more quickly, too. As if... less self-conscious.
“It doesn’t come out often. Except when I’m tired, or emotional, or caught off guard. Or—or—or—or just talking to people I know really well.” His eyes bore into hers, tempting her to ask which it is right now.
There’s a knock on the door and before either of them canrespond, it cracks open. Charlie smoothly pulls away from her and is sitting on the edge of the tub again by the time Derek’s head pokes around the door. He takes in the two of them sopping wet, TJ sitting against the tub faucet. The mess all over the counters. Charlie’s mismatched legs.
He looks at TJ. “Didn’t I tell you to keep him out of trouble?”
SIXTEEN
***
The following afternoon in biology, TJ’s phone buzzes.
She glances up to ensure the teacher isn’t in her vicinity, but Mr. Oyedele is in the opposite corner of the room, berating someone for vaping in class. She props up her textbook to hide her phone and checks the notification. It’s a photo from Charlie.
Someone else must’ve taken it for him. He’s striking a pretentious pose, leaning against a Whitewater classroom doorway, one ankle crossed over the other. Navy pinstripe shorts show off his shiny, smooth waxed leg along with his natural, hairy one. He’s gazing off into the distance as if he’s a model.
A text follows.Last night I finally understood what they mean about how good bedsheets feel on smooth legs.
TJ types back,so what I’m hearing is,,,, you want a repeat???
He leaves her on read.
“TJ.”
TJ jumps a little in her seat to find Mr. Oyedele in front of her desk, one eyebrow raised.
“I didn’t realize your textbook was so funny,” he says, and TJ realizes she’s grinning ear to ear. “Although I suppose everything is more comedic when you’re reading upside down. You’re excused from class.”
TJ’s jaw drops, at least until he continues, “No, not for that. Amy’s pulling you out.”
He points to the door, where Amy West, Northridge’s very own student body president, is waving a pale hand at her. TJ gets up hastily. She’s only ever spoken to Amy in passing, but she’s never been so happy to see her.
Amy grins as TJ joins her. “Looks like I showed up just in time. Mr. Oyedele loves confiscating phones.”
“Much appreciated.” TJ smiles back tentatively, relief turning to confusion as she follows her down the hall. She and Amy, while on amicable terms, have never actively sought each other out. “Um... What’s this about?”
Amy gestures for her to follow into the admin area, and into a smaller office that’s clearly been vacated for this meeting. TJ stops at the door.
Simran is there, in one of the hard-backed chairs. She looks up, catches sight of TJ, and immediately looks away again.
Amy, oblivious, settles into another chair and tosses her wavy brown hair over her shoulder. “TJ, have a seat.”
TJ sinks into the remaining chair, willing Simran to make eye contact. But apparently something on the floor is extremely interesting to her. TJ’s heart shrivels a little. Is she really still that mad?
Amy says, “So, TJ. Simran already knows this, since she’s on council with me. But I just want to tell you about something we’ve been discussing a lot lately at the school and district level. About bullying.”
Simran starts winding her braid around her wrist.
“You and Simran were victims to a pretty vicious social media storm that brought to light how bad it is out there,” Amyadds. “We developed a really exciting initiative and the administration is on board. A body-positivity campaign in school newspapers around the district. To show that all different kinds of bodies can be beautiful. And we’d like you to be one of the models.”
TJ’s eyebrows shoot up. She glances at Simran, who’s still avoiding her gaze. “Areyoudoing this?” Somehow she can’t imagine Simran puckering her lips for a photo shoot.
Amy answers for her. “No. I was actually hopingyouwould, TJ. Simran’s helping behind the scenes, but she doesn’t want to be a model.” A wry smile touches Simran’s lips, and Amy goes on. “If you agree, we’ll schedule you for the photos pretty soon. We’re hoping to roll out the campaign before Spring Break, before the senior retreat and all. Thought it would be good timing for a body-positivity campaign.”
TJ blinks. The senior retreat? It’s completely slipped her mind until now, but she had put down her deposit months ago. This year it’s on Vancouver Island. TJ had been looking forward to lounging in the sun and surfing with her friends and boyfriend. Now she’s barely got any friends at all.
Amy jars her from her thoughts. “Not just body-hair positivity, but other things, too. Different body shapes, skin colours, abilities. We’re thinking of using the slogan ‘Every Body Is Beautiful.’ What do you think?”