Page 84 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove

She doesn’t wait around for Isaac’s response. She brushes past both of them and heads back to her ledge with the brilliant view of the lake.

Once sitting comfortably facing the horizon, she takes a deep breath. She can’t afford to feel anything about Charlie right now. Because if she does, it’ll become anger. And if she gets angry, she’ll get reckless. No way is she letting impulsivity get the best of her this time. Not with Nationals on the line.

Charlie is still her debate partner. And this weekend, whether she likes it or not, they have to be a team.

∗

Later that day, TJ dons her freshly pressed white blouse and black slacks, wraps her hair into a bun at the nape of her neck, and picks out a pair of heels. She studies herself in the mirror. The look is just about perfect. Powerful in its simplicity. Her facial hair is clear as day.

In a burst of inspiration, she paints her mouth a deep, dark red. When she puts down the lipstick, the effect is dramatic. It draws attention to her mouth, and makes the hair above it stand out even more in contrast.

She smiles, and it feels revolutionary.

Her parents drop her off at the Northridge entrance before going to find parking. Today’s the only day this weekend they got off work, and they wanted to spend it watching her debate. Even her mom, who normally doesn’t take interest. TJ suspects she, like her father, is starting to get sentimental.

TJ walks through the double doors. To her surprise, the first person she runs into isRajan, holding programmes. Someone has forced him to take off his hoodie, and it’s strange seeing that he actually has a shape to his body rather than a vague baggy cloud around his middle.

“What the hell?” she demands. “You said you were busy this weekend!”

“I was busy until Simran Sahiba asked,” Rajan says, popping his toothpick out of his mouth. Before TJ can give him a piece of her mind, Mrs. Scott’s voice blares over.

“Rajan! You have to actuallygivepeople these programmes, you know, not just stand around and look pretty.”

Rajan salutes and moves on. Mrs. Scott shakes her head as she walks up to TJ.

“I don’t know what to do with that boy.” She looks TJ over. “Ready? I’ll be watching as many of your debates as I can. I can’t wait.”

Oh, great. TJ’s stomach flips.

“You’d better get in line for registration,” Mrs. Scott adds, her eyes shifting over TJ’s head. “The Alberta group is here, I’d better go greet them...” She vanishes from TJ’s side.

It’s at this time that TJ spots Isaac and Jenna Turner signing in. She looks the other way, praying they won’t see, or they won’t interact.

No such luck. Jenna’s sugar-sweet voice floats over.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

TJ tears her eyes away from the wall to look into Jenna’s. She doesn’t bother forcing a smile. “Yes, well, this is my school.”

“I meant more that you’re here at Nationals. Someone musthave cancelled and given you their spot. Am I right?”

Jenna has got to know Simran was originally top debater in the region—everyone had the scoresheets, after all. She’s just asking to make a point of it. TJ sets her jaw. “Yep.”

“Aw, that’s great! So nice that you got the opportunity!” Jenna smiles, big. “It’s a cool experience. You’ll see.”

TJ’s dentist would cry if they knew how much she’s grinding her teeth right now. “Mhmm.”

When she doesn’t say more, Jenna shrugs. “Well, see you around!”

Once she’s gone, TJ releases a relieved sigh. No comments today, although she’d been prepared for it. Maybe Jenna’s done toying with her.

When she makes it to the front of the registration line, she finds Yara on the other side of the desk, smiling widely. “TJ!”

TJ smiles back—genuinely. “Hi, Yara. I didn’t know you were doing registration today.”

“Well, someone was sick, so I got pulled from the kitchen to help, and honestly, I’m still figuring it out. Uh, sign here. I’ll get your itinerary and everything...”

She digs around in a large cardboard box while TJ writes her name and pronouns on a name tag. When Yara finally collects all the registration stuff, TJ tries to take it from her hands, but Yara keeps a firm grip. “I saw you talking with Jenna Turner.”