Page 89 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove

Charlie snaps the book shut. “If you’d stop feeling sorry for yourself for one minute, you’d realize we have some great angles to work this resolution from.”

TJ knows she’s being annoying but can’t stop. Besides, she is definitely not in the mood to be condescended to byhim. “Of courseyouthink it has great angles.”

He gives her an irritated look. “What are you even talking about?”

“Never mind!” TJ snaps, highly aware of the ticking clock. “Let’s just get this over with.”

And they both bend over their own notes, resentmentfogging the air between them. It’s as if their truce earlier never happened. Their words to each other over the next twenty minutes are clipped. They decide who will be first speaker (Charlie) and who will give the closing argument (TJ), quickly splitting contentions. It’s bad. TJ knows it’s bad. But not even the prospect of losing is stopping her pride now. They’re going to lose anyway. The only question is how badly.

There’s a knock on the door. TJ glances at the clock. They still have ten minutes. What—

The door opens, and a middle-aged woman with curly brown hair and steely eyes steps through. TJ recognizes her from the opening remarks; she’d been introduced as one of the tournament organizers from the national debate association.

“Hello,” she says. “I’m Mrs. Grayson. We need to speak with Charlie Rosencrantz.”

“What’s going on?” TJ asks, as several other organizers filter inside. “We have a debate in ten minutes.”

“It’s being delayed until we sort this out. A rule violation has to be addressed.”

TJ glances at Charlie. He looks just as confused. Something’s not right. “Where’s Mrs. Scott?”

Mrs. Grayson sits in one of the office chairs. “For unbiased assessment of this issue, both your debate coaches have been left out of the process. They’re aware. Ms. Powar, you can leave. This is about Charlie.”

Charlie? Violating tournament rules? TJ frowns. That doesn’t seem likely. “He’s my partner. Whatever’s happening with him affects me. I’m staying.”

And she leans back, crossing her arms. Mrs. Grayson doesn’t seem impressed.

“This is to protect his privacy while we investigate. You’ll get another debate partner if need be. And a new topic. There’s no need to worry.”

Anotherpartner? TJ opens her mouth, but before she can speak, Charlie says, “TJ can stay. I don’t have anything to hide.”

Mrs. Grayson gives him a skeptical look and shrugs, directing her next questions at him. “Were you aware of the tournament rules and regulations? They’re standard. One of the clauses is: No public slander of your opponents before debates.”

“And I haven’t done that.”

“We’ve been tipped off that you did. On social media.” Silence. She adds, “Instagram.”

Charlie’s answer is immediate. “I haven’t used my Instagram in months.”

TJ looks at him sharply. What?

Mrs. Grayson appears to have similar thoughts. “Then why is there activity from this morning?”

“There can’t be. How would you know?”

“I can’t disclose my source. But here.” She slides over a phone. Charlie leans over it. Distracted, TJ leans with him. She has to see for herself if he’s lying right now.

It’s a post on Isaac Turner’s account, a photo at the summit of their earlier hike with the captionAt Canadian National Debate. Can’t wait to argue with some of the best this weekend!

Mrs. Grayson scrolls down to a comment by none other than charlie_rosencrantzzz.Some of the best? Idk about that lol

TJ’s struck with the urge to laugh. This is fake. She’s sure of it. Even if he was going to say something that cringey, Charlie Rosencrantz would never be caught dead using acronyms online.

And ifthisis fake...

Wait.

Charlie says slowly, “I lost my phone recently. I couldn’t find it, but... maybe someone took it.”