38 Drafted - Part 2 (2/2)
”Scarlet.”
”A-ah, I'm sorry…”
She's taking this pretty badly, huh?
”I-I wanted to get you through this, but… I'm really bad at talking to guys so it's not like I can just tell everyone that the rumors are fake… plus Jen owns most of the girls so I can't talk to them either.”
Seems like she's being blocked at all sides.
There's her anxiety with men, and also Jennifer's control.
She has a lot to deal with too. Even with her status, it wouldn't be as easy as snapping her fingers and fixing everything.
”It's okay. You don't have to do anything. I understand.”
I couldn't ask for more from her. It's enough that she was willing enough to go out of her way to open up like this.
But Scarlet merely pouts.
”You can't decide that for me.”
”What?”
”I said I wouldn't get you through this, but that doesn't mean I can't at least help you.”
”Help me…?”
”Uh, duh. As far as I see it there's only one thing left for you to do. You're gonna take down Jen.”
Take down… Jennifer?
”…”
What the hell is this woman talking about?
”I don't expect you to really forgive me for ruining everything, so I came up with a plan. A plan to take Jen down and clear your name at the same time.”
”Huh…”
No, I mean, I kind of already forgave you for it, but…
”Is that even possible…? I think it's pretty obvious that everyone hates me, and if even someone like you can't change their minds then it's pretty much impossible for me to stop her.”
”Well, it's not as impossible as you think. You've just gotta stop thinking about things normally.”
”Okay then. How do you propose I do it?”
”We're gonna use the class president elections on Monday.”
”The elections…? Wait, you don't mean…”
”Yup! You're gonna run against Jen.”
Run… against her?
”If you beat someone as popular as Jen in the class elections then people will HAVE to respect you! They've got not choice!”
”Wait wait, back up. Beat Jennifer? Let's get serious here. You and I both know how impossible that is.”
I mean, even if my reputation weren't already in the gutter it'd still be impossible. How is someone like me even supposed to compete against her popularity..?
”Don't be such a loser, Chase.”
My body tenses up.
Unlike before, I can tell that she's calling me that from the heart.
”You're scared of it, aren't you? This whole popularity thing. Are you scared of everyone watching you? Or of being made fun of for how you live? I mean, it's not that I blame you for it, most people are like that. Public speaking is the number one phobia in America. If you think about it that way, you're pretty normal.”
I don't respond.
”But that doesn't mean that you should just let these rumors eat you up inside! Who cares if you live in that kind of neighborhood?! Chase is still Chase, no matter where he lives or who he lives with! You're gentler, kinder, and more thoughtful than anyone I've met at this school! Why should you of all people have to apologize for being who you are? Isn't that just messed up…?!”
…
Scarlet…
”I kinda get how it feels, you know. Better than you think. I've been hiding my Androphobia for the past fourteen years and it's only gotten worse the older I've become. You can kinda hide it as a kid by acting like boys are gross and stuff, but after middle school it only becomes that much harder. And if a weakness like that gets out, it's easy for people like Jen to ruin you. It's depressing. I can't exchange words with half of the population without my heart banging against my chest. That's just too messed up of a problem for me to overcome…”
”…”
”But that's also why I know you'll be able to beat this. Unlike mine, your weakness isn't something that can be taken advantage of so easily. Now that your secret's out, you have nothing left to lose. You can play the game the way it's supposed to be played.”
”The game…? I don't…”
Want to play any games.
Not with Jennifer, or anyone else.
I just want to go through high school messing around with Nick and Sig.
”Sorry, Chase. Like it or not, you're already caught up in Sunchester High's circle of nonsense. The only way out is to make a comeback that'll make Jen regret messing with you. You have to beat her at her own game.”
At her own… game.
”Do you think it's possible? Do you really think I can beat her?”
”Hell no. A loser like you couldn't beat Jen in a million years, even if you tried your butt off.”
Wow, way to get my hopes up, Scarlet.
”But… if I play both teams, I think we just might be able to trip her up while she isn't looking.”
Seriously? She'd do that for me?
If I can get the details of her campaign and actively try to challenge her then it might just be possible…
But the question is, will it even work out?
I mean, even with all of those variables I feel like Jen might just still come out on top.
”That's why I said you're a chicken. The game hasn't even begun and yet you've already accepted defeat. You've already acknowledged me as the untouchable, superior player.”
”And as a result your play suffers for it. You don't want to lose after trying your heart out. Because it hurts to want something and lose it right before your eyes. It hurts to fail, doesn't it? It feels like the whole world will laugh at you if you fail.”
Momo's words...
”…”
Right. I already came to a decision yesterday, didn't I?
I shake my head.
”Okay, I'll take you up on that then.”
I've already vowed to distance myself from that cowardice. I decided to be the kind of guy that faces his problems head on. So if there's even a chance in hell that I can fix this awful situation, you can bet some serious money that I'll be taking it.
Like she just said, I have nothing left to lose anymore.
”Thanks Scarlet. Seriously, you're a lifesaver.”
At my words, she flips her hair off to the side and looks away.
”Don't misunderstand, loser. I'm not doing this for you or anything.”
”…”
”I just… kinda owe you one… Okay?”
I can't find the words to respond.
That was too damn cute.