I know my strengths and my weaknesses. Fuller the jock should know his, too.
“Thanks, sweetheart. You’re the best,” my uncle said with a smile. He checked his watch. “I better head to the gym and get ready for practice. Thanks again, Wren.”
After he left, I stood still for several seconds. Did I just agree to keep a secret on Fuller’s behalf? All so the boys’ basketball team wouldn’t have a complex over their star player getting benched?
Sure, he averaged twenty-five points a game, but so what? Why couldn’t TyShaun or Marc step it up? They weren’t as skilled with the ball as Fuller, but between the two of them, they should be able to improve their averages this season.
Before I could pick apart what had just happened, I felt the familiar buzz of my phone from the back of my book bag.
Seeing as school hours were over and we could use our phones without getting into trouble, I unzipped my backpack and unlocked the screen.
Dae: Meet me in the hallway.
Me: Which one?
Dae: Outside the library.
I slipped my backpack straps over my shoulders and headed out into the hallway. Dae stood on the other side with his arms crossed.
“What’s up?” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice. “How did you know I was in there and not study hall?”
“Got out of class a few minutes early and saw you in there with—”
“Hey, Dae.” Two junior girls walked by, batting their eyelashes at him.
“Hey.” He smiled politely but turned his attention back toward me immediately.
“But Dae.” I did my best to imitate the girls. “Pay attention to us.”
Hot, but down-to-earth and not interested in being part of the popular crew, Dae had a lot of admirers at our school. But, after having his heart trampled last summer by his ex-girlfriend, Eva, he’d sworn off dating anyone new until he got to college.
“Yeah, yeah. Very funny. But seriously,” Dae said, lowering his voice, “not the important part of this conversation. Why in the world were you sitting next to F.B.M. in the library?” He looked like he’d just downed a large gulp of sour milk. “Have you lost your mind? Do you need me to take you to the hospital or something?”
“Oh, um, I…” The hallway buzzed with students, including a group of sophomore guys who all had their phones out. One of them narrowly missed an open locker.
“Hello? Earth to Wren? Why were you with Fuller James?” Dae waved his hand in front of my face.
“Not here. Let’s talk in the car.” I wasn’t sure how to handle what had just happened with my uncle. Everyone in school knew I detested Fuller. How was I going to explain hanging out with him during our last period if I didn’t tell the truth? Also, how would I put up with him one-on-one for an hour a day?
Not only had he given me the world’s worst nickname, he’d dated Marissa on and off since seventh grade. I knew he wasn’t responsible for turning my best friend against me, but he hadn’t exactly helped the situation. He was the reason I’d given up on being friends with girls after Marissa, Courtney, and practically every other girl in my class started making fun of me. I couldn’t trust that my own gender wouldn’t throw me under the bus the next time a guy like Fuller James gave them the opportunity.
I shook my head and cursed myself for getting in that stupid food fight. Spending time with Fuller was like a constant reminder of how, in a single night, I’d become the laughingstock of our middle school and lost my best friend.
On top of having to lie and being forced to work with Fuller, I thought about the extra time I’d have to spend doing homework every night, since my study hall had been hijacked. I could handle it, but it was more than annoying.
Dae and I walked side by side as we made our way through the crowded hall and into the crisp fall air. The leaves had started to change, and the towering oak and maple trees on the mountains surrounding our school had transformed from serene greens to vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges. Thankful for the unspoken understanding that came from being best friends for five years, I walked next to Dae in silence until we got to my car.
“Okay, spill it.”
I inserted the key in the ignition and exhaled slowly.
Dae shook his head. “Spill. It.”
I knew I had just promised my uncle that I wasn’t going to tell anyone, but Dae wasn’t just anyone. He’d keep my secret. “So, you know how when you were meeting with Mr. Norman during lunch, there was that food fight? Well, I kind of lost it…”
“Yeah.” Dae’s voice was laden with confusion. “You texted me and told me that you nailed Marc with the mashed potatoes. Which I’m sure he totally deserved. But what does that have to do with Fuller?”
“Principal Davis called Fuller and me into his office after AP Lit. He had video of me chucking mashed potatoes at Fuller but accidentally hitting Marc.” Saying the words aloud made me realize how childish the entire situation was and how easy it would have been to avoid.
“Uh-oh.”
Even though the car was in park, I gripped the steering wheel. “He gave me an ultimatum. Suspension and detention, which would mean losing my spot at STEM camp, or…”
“Or what?” Dae turned toward me, his dark brown eyes not leaving my face.
“Before I tell you, you’ve got to promise not to tell anyone else about this, Dae. I mean it, I haven’t even told Brandon yet.” I released the wheel and cracked my knuckles.
“Promise. Now what’s going on?”
“I could face suspension, detention, and missing STEM camp, or tutor Fuller James.” As the words left my lips, my gaze fell on Marissa and Courtney getting into Marissa’s car. Last year, when she’d gotten her license, her parents had surprised her with a BMW convertible. Sure, a few kids at our school drove really nice cars, but with Marissa, she was constantly shoving it in everyone’s face and making fun of classmates who drove old beaters. She was the epitome of spoiled rotten.
“Wait, what?” Dae shook his head. “Either get suspended or tutor Fuller? That’s complete crap.”
Marissa peeled out of her parking spot and sped off toward the exit, her blond hair flying in the air behind her.
“Tell me about it. To make it worse, my uncle was in the principal’s office with us. He totally guilt-tripped me. If Fuller doesn’t play, the team is going to pay the price and their chances of winning State practically disappear.” Saying his name left a bitter taste in my mouth. “There was no way I could say no with him in there.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “So, yeah. I had to decide between detention and suspension or tutoring Fuller until he brings his grade up.”