Part 1 (2/2)
”Why are you saying that to me?” me?” She slapped her French-manicured hand against her heart and widened her amber eyes. Did the whole cla.s.s really have to know she'd gotten a C on the last test? She slapped her French-manicured hand against her heart and widened her amber eyes. Did the whole cla.s.s really have to know she'd gotten a C on the last test?
”I'm not just just saying it to you.” His voice was smooth and calming, like a late-night DJ's. ”I'm saying it to everyone in the cla.s.s who got below a B on the world hunger quiz.” saying it to you.” His voice was smooth and calming, like a late-night DJ's. ”I'm saying it to everyone in the cla.s.s who got below a B on the world hunger quiz.”
The A students started giggling. Kristen was among them. Ma.s.sie shot her a firm stop-that look. Kristen bit her lower lip and looked toward the window.
”Not all of us need need to learn how to survive off the land.” Ma.s.sie glared at Mr. Myner. ”Some of us can actually afford groceries and electricity. And the ones who to learn how to survive off the land.” Ma.s.sie glared at Mr. Myner. ”Some of us can actually afford groceries and electricity. And the ones who can can should be tested on something relevant, like European resort towns or natural hot springs.” should be tested on something relevant, like European resort towns or natural hot springs.”
The C students cheered and Ma.s.sie bowed her head in grat.i.tude. She knew she would eventually face Mr. Myner's wrath, but she didn't care. Their applause made it all worth it.
But before Mr. Myner could say another word, the bell rang. The high-pitched screech of chairs sliding back across the freshly waxed floors and the snapping sound of paper getting clipped back into binders meant they were done for the day.
”So, the iPad on Sunday?” Ma.s.sie reconfirmed as they raced out of cla.s.s. ”I think everyone should show up early. This packing list may take a while.”
”Count me out.” Kristen pushed past them and raced down the hall.
”Why?” Ma.s.sie yelled after her.
Alicia, Dylan, and Claire looked at one another and shrugged.
Kristen stopped, her back still facing them. She didn't flinch when some girls in a hurry knocked into her with their bags and coats. She just stood there, motionless.
Ma.s.sie and the rest of the Pretty Committee darted over to Kristen and stood by her side. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. A black mascara booger had formed in the corner of her right eye.
”I had no idea you guys were so sick of me borrowing money.” She sniffed.
Alicia nervously twirled her thick black hair into a chignon and dabbed a bit of pink lip gloss onto her full mouth. ”We're so nawt.” Alicia tried to sound sincere, but her voice was flat and unconvincing.
”Just let us pay,” Dylan said. ”If we split it four ways then-”
Alicia cleared her throat and tilted her head toward Claire.
”I mean, if we spilt it three three ways, we could totally afford it,” Dylan corrected herself. ways, we could totally afford it,” Dylan corrected herself.
Claire brought her thumbnail to her teeth and bit down.
”Seriously.” Ma.s.sie rested her hand on the back of Kristen's hot-pink-and-white Puma track jacket. ”What's the big deal?”
Kristen wiggled out from under Ma.s.sie's gentle grip. ”Because I don't want you to think I'm some pathetic charity case.”
Ma.s.sie sighed. She didn't have time for this. Not when Derrington was waiting for her to respond to his text message. Maybe a little humor would lighten Kristen's mood. ”You're not some some charity case. You're charity case. You're our our charity case. And we ah-dore you.” charity case. And we ah-dore you.”
Kristen's mouth fell open and tears started rolling down her flushed cheeks.
Alicia glared at Ma.s.sie.
”What?” Ma.s.sie was genuinely surprised by their reactions. ”I was kidding.” She grabbed Kristen's hand and held it like she was about to propose marriage. ”Come on, Kris. This is going to be the best week ever. Just let us pay.”
”No, thanks.” Kristen dried her eyes on her polyester sleeve. ”I'll raise the money myself.”
”How are you going to raise fifteen hundred dollars in two days?” Claire sounded genuinely interested.
”I am going to teach memory skills,” Kristen said.
”What?” the girls said together.
”I am taking a home course in photographic memory skills, and it's really working,” Kristen explained.
”Okay, so what did we read about in geo today? Word for word?” Dylan pulled up her new size-two denim miniskirt, then checked to see if anyone noticed.
Ma.s.sie quickly looked away.
Kristen c.o.c.ked her head, ran her fingers through her short blond hair, and smiled. ”We didn't read anything today. Mr. Myner spent the whole cla.s.s talking about stupid Lake Placid.”
”Hmmm.” Dylan tapped her index finger against her pursed lips. ”Not bad.”
”Why tutor when we can just give you the money?” Ma.s.sie asked.
”I'll be fine,” Kristen insisted. ”I have five hundred dollars in my savings account, so all I need is a thousand dollars.”
Ma.s.sie smiled. ”Maybe you could teach math, too.”
Kristen giggled, then wiped away her last tear. ”I'm serious. If I charge ten girls a hundred dollars each, I'll be able to go.”
”Great. Now can we please go shopping for earth tones?” Dylan whined.
”Yes.” Alicia bounced up and down on her toes. ”I'm desperate.” She tightened the knot on her short ballet-pink tie-front cardigan and her cleavage practically tripled.
”Oh good, I need some new underwear.” Claire's blue eyes widened with excitement. ”Can we go to Victoria's Secret?”
”Given,” Alicia agreed. ”I need a new br-” She crossed her arms over her C-cups. ”I need some things too.”
The girls started walking toward the exit to meet Isaac, Ma.s.sie's driver. He'd warned them that he might be late because a new fridge was getting installed in the backseat of the Range Rover. ”See you guys.” Kristen waved. Her voice was full of purpose and determination.
”Aren't you coming?” Ma.s.sie asked.
”Nah, I'm going to use the Xerox machine to make flyers for my course,” Kristen said.
”Want help?” Ma.s.sie pushed open the wood doors and stepped into the cold.
”Yeah, I'd love some.” Kristen's face lit up. ”Wanna come with me to make my posters?”
Ma.s.sie felt her stomach lurch. She hadn't actually expected Kristen to say yes.
”Uh, I can't because Isaac is on his way,” Ma.s.sie shouted. ”Good luck. Call me later.”
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