Page 71 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove

Her jaw drops. “Says who?”

He throws up his hands. “It’s not an insult, okay? I’m just trying to help. See you later.” He brushes past her.

Anger beats through her skin. No way is she letting him have the last word. Before he can get too far, TJ raises her Silly String can at him, aiming for his precious curls, and lets themulticoloured goop fly. It hits her target perfectly. Liam yelps, cradling his head.

“What the hell, TJ!”

Cackling, she turns and walks away, farther down the deck. Well, that was satisfying.

But her amusement fades the more his words replay in her mind. He didn’t say them angrily; no, he almost soundedsympathetic. Which is worse. It wasn’t enough to break her heart, he had to make her feel like anyone else would’ve done the same?

Suddenly drained, TJ stops at the other end of the boat and leans against a mast. People pass by her but she barely notices. How is it possible Liam can still hurt her this much? Even though sheagrees. No one could find her attractive like this. It’s not fair to ask them to.

Another group of Whitewater students passes. TJ’s snapped out of her thoughts when she hears Charlie’s name.

“...thinks he’s such hot shit because he came up with the sailing trip idea, but it sucked.”

TJ turns slowly. The boy who spoke is sandy-haired, wearing a grey windbreaker and shorts.

“Nah,” says another. “This was way better than the past few senior retreats, at least.”

Sandy-haired guy crosses his arms. “Don’t let Charlie hear you say that. He’s a smug enough little prick as it is.”

TJ shifts. The wood under her creaks loudly. The whole group whips their heads around to look at her. Caught.

She gives them a jaunty little wave and pushes off the mast to head back the way she came. It’s actually kind of bizarre tohear someone bad-mouth Charlie. But then again, she doesn’t go to his school. She doesn’t know what he gets up to.

“Hey.”

She nearly jumps out of her skin. Speak of the devil; Charlie has materialized in front of her. And—whoa. He’s wearing a T-shirt and athletic shorts and sneakers. His hair is the furthest thing from neat, blown out of place by the wind.

While she’s staring, Charlie draws closer. “I’m half-surprised you’re not spraying me with Silly String by now.”

She automatically raises her can, but it’s empty. Then she blurts, “I heard someone call you a smug little prick.”

He grins. “Were you thinking out loud?”

“No!” She glances behind her, but the Whitewater group has moved on, out of earshot. “It was some guy from your school.”

She doesn’t know why she’s telling him this. Maybe she just wants him to know. Maybe she wants an explanation. In any case, his smile fades slightly as he follows her gaze.

“I think I know who you’re talking about. Blond? Grey windbreaker?” She nods. His voice becomes wry. “That’d be my nemesis in every school election, Brandon Fletcher.”

“Nemesis?”

Charlie shrugs casually. “Not really, but he seems to think so.” He turns towards the ocean, setting his phone down on a crate. “How’s debate prep coming along?”

TJ decides not to point out the obvious swerve. She sets down her Silly String. “Fine. You?”

He nods absently. “I’ve been bribing Nate into helping me brainstorm impromptu topics.”

She wishes she’d thought of that. It must show on her face, because he adds, “You could join us, if you want.”

His tone is neutral. And despite the fact that she was the one to decide they shouldn’t meet anymore, she finds herself wanting to say yes.

She dismisses the thought immediately.No. Why is she so weak? Ameera or Mrs. Scott can help her brainstorm. Better than seeing Charlie more than she needs to. “What are you bribing Nate with?” she asks instead.

“He’s in the table tennis club. They’ve been lobbying for a new table for a while now—I can expedite their application so they get it before the year’s up.”