Page 98 of TJ Powar Has Something to Prove
TJ chooses not to dignify that with a response. “Couldn’t they find anyone else for timekeeping?”
“The dude who was gonna do it cancelled last-minute, and I was the only one there when Mrs. Scott was panicking.”
TJ rolls her eyes and puts her blazer back on. She digs her phone out of the pocket. A notification instantly catches her eye—an email from Simran.
Her heart leaps, and she clicks through to read it.
The message is short.I just got back from camp. Thanks for the tea, definitely no sore throats around here.
Is Simran... making a joke? It’s hard to tell, but TJ’s heart lifts. She’s been anxious all week waiting for a response, but of course Simran wouldn’t have emailed until she was back. And she did so on the very same night. Whichmeanssomething. She’s accepting the olive branch.
Before TJ can think of a response, Ameera nudges her. “Hey, someone’s waving at you.”
TJ looks up to spot Chandani and Piper entering the banquet hall. They’re in hoodies, hair damp like they’re freshly washed up. They’re back already?
“Go,” Ameera says. “I’ll save your spot.”
TJ thanks her and exits the food line.
Her two friends appear to be in unusually serious conversation as she draws nearer. Chandani’s arms are crossed, and Piper looks solemn. But they both stop talking when they notice TJ. Piper lights up.
“TJ!”
TJ accepts her hug. “How are you here? The soccer game—”
“Was a victory, no thanks to you,” Chandani finishes. “We just got back.”
“We wanted to see your debate,” Piper says. “We just missed it, but I heard you won.” She pauses. Chandani not-so-subtly elbows her, and she takes a deep breath.
TJ looks between them, confused. Something’s up. “What—”
“Jake’s one of the people who liked that new post,” Piper blurts. “About you, I mean. From after Spring Break.”
This isn’t news. “I know.”
“Well, I broke up with him.”
That’snews. TJ stares at her, shocked. Piper looks away, anger and embarrassment clear on her face. “I wasn’t even that surprised when I saw. I think I always knew he was that type of guy. But it didn’t hit home until right then. I’m sorry it took me so long. And if you knew... I can’t believe you didn’t say anything!”
“I didn’t want to get in between you two. I knew how much you liked him.” It sounds ridiculous as soon as she’s voiced it. She was really just going to let it go. As if she didn’t deserve any better from her friends.
Piper sighs. “Yeah. But I don’t want a boyfriend who puts down my friends. And I don’t want to be someone who puts down her friends, either. Whether... I meant to or not. And apparently I’ve done it before.”
TJ looks at Chandani, who suddenly looks a little misty-eyed herself. “We did a lot of talking on the way back to Kelowna.”
Well, good for them, finally clearing the air.
Piper goes on, lowering her voice. “The worst thing is, I can’t help it sometimes. Even though I know it’s wrong, sometimes I look at you and think,That’s unnatural. Isn’t that messed up?”
“Yep,” TJ says. Piper looks at the floor, at least until TJ adds, “But I get it.”
A while ago, with Charlie, TJ had blamed the beauty industry for being the problem, but she’s starting to realize that’sonly the start of it. She and Chandani and Piper and her mom and all those aunties have been made part of the problem, too. They are crucial players in their own shaming.
She can almost imagine these CEOs in their office, breaking down their business plan. Tell girls that it’s actuallynotjust about beauty. Tell them it’s more serious than that—it’s about cleanliness and health, about appearing professional, about female empowerment. To not look a certain way isn’t just ugly, it’s lazy and dirty and unhealthy and primitive.
The beauty industry stifled them with that message, and they stifled each other with it. It’s hard to shake off. Sometimes the best they can do is recognize it and try to be better.
Chandani yawns theatrically. “This is nice and all, but now that it’s over, can we finally kick Charlie’s ass?”