The v Club

  Fine, let her believe that, Kai thought, staring right back at Mandy as she trudged to the sidelines. She can believe whatever the hell she wants.

  "I can't believe they took Mandy out," Eva said, watching her friend from the bleachers across the gym. Mandy was sitting in a chair on the sidelines, looking pale and wan and on the verge of tears.

  "She'll be all right," Debbie said, leaning her elbows back on the riser behind her.

  "I don't know," Eva said. "She's shooting Kai the look of death."

  "What is going on with those two lately?" Debbie asked. "They barely said three words to each other at lunch."

  "I know. I just wish they would talk about whatever it is," Eva said.

  "I think it all started with that V Club thing. I'm sure it'll

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  blow over now that we've had elections. They can't stay mad forever. I mean, it's just a club," Debbie said. On the court Kai slammed the ball over the net and scored the winning point of the first game. She and Eva applauded along with the few other people in the stands as the team gathered at the sideline. "So what's up with you?" she said, turning to Eva. "I feel like I've barely talked to you all week."

  Eva blushed slightly and picked at her fingernails. "Not much. I've . . . uh . . . I've been hanging out with Riley at 4-H a lot."

  "Omigod, isn't he the sweetest?" Debbie said, grinning. "I've been hanging out with him a lot too. We should all hang out together sometime."

  "Yeah." Eva smiled and swallowed back the lump in her throat. Did Debbie really like Riley or did she think of him as just another potential frog? Should she tell her what Riley had said yesterday about just thinking of Debbie as a friend? "Yeah. The three of us together, that'd be, um, great."

  Should I tell her about our maybe date?

  No -- I'll just wait until I find out if this is an actual date or if he's thinking this is just a friend thing.

  Yes. That seemed like the best plan. That meant she didn't have to deal with it just now. Later was good. Later was always better.

  Mandy walked into the guidance office on Friday at lunchtime and saw Kai sitting there on the couch. It just

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  figures she'd have her interview exactly when I have my interview, Mandy thought bitterly. Mandy hadn't spoken to Kai at all since the volleyball match. Mandy hadn't even looked at her. And seeing Kai here now just made her feel more ill than she already felt.

  "You have your interview now?" Kai asked.

  "Masterful powers of deduction," Mandy said sarcastically. Somehow things like that had been coming out of her mouth more and more lately.

  "What is your problem?" Kai snapped, drawing stares from a few of the nearby office workers.

  "My problem?" Mandy shot back, whispering. She sat down on the other end of the couch, her muscles tensing. "I got benched thanks to you!"

  "Omigod, I knew it. I knew you thought that."

  "I only think it because it was so obviously true."

  "Oh, please. I so obviously didn't," Kai hissed back. "Not that I wouldn't have liked to. You couldn't make a shot to save your life."

  Mandy felt like she'd been slapped. "Gee, thanks, Miss Goddess of Everything."

  "Isn't that your title?"

  "Girls!" the guidance secretary scolded. "Please! This is an office."

  Mandy turned and stared forward, crossing her legs at the knee and locking her arms over her chest. This was just too much. Kai shouldn't even be here. "Can I ask you something?" she whispered, turning to look at Kai.

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  "I'm dying to hear this," Kai said.

  "Why are you applying for the scholarship when you're not even a virgin?" Mandy demanded, whispering the last word as quietly as humanly possible.

  Kai blinked but said nothing. She started to crack the knuckles on her right hand one by one.

  "I think you should withdraw your name from consideration," Mandy said.

  "Why don't you?" Kai demanded. "It's not like you need it."

  "How do you know what I need!?" Mandy said before she could rethink it. "You have no idea what's going on with me!"

  "And why is that again?" Kai snapped. She raised her finger to her cheek and did her fake-thinking pose.

  "Well, at least I'm not lying to my friends."

  "Oh, and I am?"

  "You told us you were a virgin! You told us you couldn't stand Andres! And then I found out that the two of you are hitting the sheets together!"

  Kai's jaw dropped. "I don't know how you found out about me and Andres, but it's none of your business."

  "Well, maybe there's stuff I'm not telling you because it's none of your business," Mandy shot back.

  "Fine, then," Kai said, turning her profile to Mandy again.

  "Fine."

  Mandy's eyes welled up just as the door to the conference room opened and Coach Davis herself stepped out.

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  "Mandy? You're up next," she said.

  Mandy stood up shakily and took a deep breath. This was it. Her future was about to be decided. Before walking into the hostile environment of the waiting room, she'd had a whole list of things to talk about in her head. She'd been prepared, composed--or as composed as she could be under the circumstances

  But now it was all gone. Erased. And all she could concentrate on was not bursting into tears.

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  Chapter 18

  "It was cake," Debbie said, climbing onto the big yellow bus idling in front of Oakridge High School. "Didn't you think it was cake?" "Keep it down," Riley told her under his breath. He looked around at their classmates with an overly wary expression, rubbing his hand over his scruffy blond hair. "You're gonna get jumped by a hundred disgruntled math geeks," he warned.

  Debbie laughed and sauntered to the back of the bus. She knew she had kicked butt on the exam and she was reveling in her posttest high. Against her will she'd gotten all wrapped up in the energy of the day. All the eligible Ardsmore High students had been bused to Oakridge--the county testing site for the Math and Science competition--and on the way there, everyone had been cramming and stressing and debating what would be

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  on the test. The tension in the air in the Oakridge High cafeteria had been infectious, and Debbie had actually felt nervous as the proctor slid the exam in front of her.

  But now that it was over, Debbie was feeling fine. Better than fine. She'd aced it and she knew it. If she ever decided that she did want a life in the sciences, it was all hers.

  Unfortunately, she still didn't want that life.

  Debbie settled into the backseat of the bus, her enthusiasm quickly withering. What was she thinking? Yeah, she'd done well and yeah, she loved to do well, but did she have to do well on this} If she won that scholarship, it was a done deal--her parents would be packing her off to Penn State faster than you could say Yaffa blocks. Why hadn't she thrown the test? Was she such an overachiever that she had to ace every little thing?

  Oh God, I am a science geek, she thought, her heart falling. It never even occurred to me to purposely fail. "Okay, moody," Riley said, sitting down next to her. Even in her distressed state, the brush of his arm against hers sent a pleasant warmth rushing through her. "What happened between the front of the bus and the back of the bus? Did you suddenly realize you forgot to write your name on the test?"

  "No," Debbie said, bringing her hand to her head. "I just ... I can't believe I'm going to spend the rest of my life as Science Girl."

  "A whole new brand of superhero," Riley said, sounding like Mr. Moviephone.

  "I'm serious!" Debbie said, sliding down in her seat

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  and closing her eyes. A sickening dread settled over her shoulders.

  "Hey, you're kind of overconfident there, aren't ya? I mean, you're up against thousands of megabrains here. Including myself," he added.

  "Sorry," Debbie said, sighing. "You're right. What are the chances I'll actually win?"

  "We won't know for a
few days anyway, so there's no point in stressing out about your impending success now," Riley said, scrunching down in his seat and pressing his knees into the seat back in front of him.

  Debbie took a deep breath and pushed herself up a bit. "You're right. What I should be stressing about is my Treemont interview," she said. "I have to go do that when we get back."

  "You're kidding," Riley said, his forehead wrinkling. "Long day."

  "Tell me about it," Debbie replied.

  As the bus rumbled out of the parking lot and onto the nearest highway, Debbie tried to force herself to relax. The interview was the one part of this scholarship thing that she knew she could nail. She was great on paper but fabulous in person. But she wasn't going to be wowing anybody if she had on her morose face.

  Debbie glanced over at Riley, who had closed his eyes and was leaning his head back against the seat. He looked so sweet with the sunlight pouring over his face. She could just kiss him right now. She imagined what he would do if

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  he suddenly felt her lips on his. It wasn't like he wouldn't kiss her back, right? There wasn't a guy on earth who wouldn't take advantage of a sudden smooch from a beautiful girl. He'd be surprised at first, sure, but then he would wrap his arms around her and lean her toward the window, kissing her like he'd been waiting for it his entire life.

  The bus hit a bump and Riley opened his eyes and caught her staring. Debbie looked away, pretending to be absorbed by some graffiti on the back of the seat. "What's up?" Riley asked.

  "I was just wondering, are you doing anything tonight?" Debbie blurted quickly. "I was thinking about seeing a movie, you know, something mind-numbingly dumb to soothe my fried brain."

  She grinned and looked over at him, but Riley's expression told her she was about to be let down. Big time.

  "Actually, I have plans," he said. Then he cleared his throat and reached out to pick at a piece of frayed vinyl next to him. "With Eva."

  "Oh," Debbie said, the smile plastered to her face. Her heart took a nosedive. Riley had plans with Eva. She was Eva's best friend. Why hadn't Eva told her about this?

  "But... you know... maybe some other time," Riley said.

  Debbie and Eva had barely talked on the phone at all this past week. ... In fact, now that she thought about it, she realized she hadn't had one real, extended conversation with Eva in days. And at the game, when she'd asked Eva what was going on with her, she had said something about

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  hanging out with Riley. But Debbie was certain Eva had said nothing about a date. A date she would have remembered.

  Was everyone keeping secrets from her? She didn't like it. Mandy still hadn't explained why she was applying for the Treemont scholarship, Kai had a sexy Spanish guy living under her roof whom Debbie hadn't even met, and now Eva and Riley?

  What was going on with her friends?

  Bbrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnggggg.

  The bell rang, signaling the start of history class, and just before the trilling ended, Riley slipped into the room. Eva held her breath. She'd been drowning in nerves for the past five minutes, wondering if he'd make it back from the Math and Science competition in time for class. They hadn't made plans for that night yet, and she had started to fear she wouldn't see him in school today--which would have meant she was in for hours of sitting by the phone, wondering if he'd call. Wondering if they actually were going to go out. And although she'd never experienced that particular torture, she was quite sure it would be the worst of them all.

  Riley slid into the chair behind Eva's, leaned forward, and whispered a "hey" as Mr. Gilson started his lecture. Eva attempted to not shiver visibly. She shot a smile over her shoulder. About thirty seconds later a piece of folded paper appeared in the corner of her vision. She grabbed it from Riley's fingers, ignoring the curious stares of the people around them. Eva unfolded the note in her lap.

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  Pick you up at 7 tonight?

  She bit her bottom lip, transferred the note to her desk, and wrote under his message.

  Sure. What are we doing?

  Lowering her hand at her side, Eva reached backward slightly and Riley grabbed the note. She heard his pen scratching behind her. When she saw his response, she almost lost it.

  It's a surprise. And I need your address.

  A surprise. And he was picking her up. This all sounded very datelike. How was this happening?

  Eva quickly scrawled out her address and phone number and handed the note back, then sat forward and attempted to pay attention. But with Riley so close she could feel his every shift, she couldn't help lapsing into her old daydreams. Was there an actual kiss in her future? The thought was as terrifying as it was exciting.

  I can handle it, she told herself as Gilson started to write the topics for their next exam on the board. Eva opened her notebook and scribbled them down. As long as nothing goes wrong, I can handle it.

  Another note suddenly sailed over her shoulder and landed squarely in the center of her desk. Shakily Eva opened the message and learned what it was like to physically melt. All it said was:

  I can't wait.

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  Chapter 19

  Riley and Eva . . . Riley and Eva ... Riley and Eva ... Nope. However she said it, it just didn't seem possible.

  Debbie sat in front of the interview panel, her legs crossed tightly and her sling-back shoe hanging off her heel. They had already asked her the basic questions, and she was just waiting as they flipped through some of her paperwork and whispered to each other about who knew what. She wished they would just excuse her already so she could get to this week's lacrosse match and take out her newfound confusion on some unsuspecting opponent.

  "We don't seem to have your purity essay here, Debbie," Mr. Simon said, shooting her a quizzical glance.

  "Oh, right," Debbie said. "Well, I was spending a lot of time studying for the Math and Science competition, but now that that's over, I'll get right on it."

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  "The Math and Science competition? That was today, wasn't it?" Mrs. Labella asked.

  Debbie took a deep breath. "Yep," she said. "It's been kind of a long day."

  A few members of the panel smiled. Can I go now? Debbie thought.

  "Well, the Math and Science scholarship seems a bit more your speed than the Treemont," Ms. Russo said, shifting through some papers. "We wish you luck with it."

  More my speed ? Is she saying what I think she's saying?

  "Thanks," Debbie said tentatively. "But. . . I'm sorry, why would you say the Math and Science scholarship is more my speed? Is there something wrong with my application?"

  Ms. Russo practically gulped, and a thick tension filled the room. Debbie's heart started to pound. She didn't want the Math and Science scholarship to be more her speed. She wanted to take Mrs. Treemont's money and run away to New York and FIT.

  "If there's anything I can do to . . . you know . . . improve the application, please tell me," Debbie said, feeling desperate. "Do I need better references or something?"

  Ms. Russo exchanged a look with Mr. Simon, and every last member of the panel shifted in their seats.

  "No, Debbie, your references are fine," Ms. Russo said finally. "Just make sure you put a lot of thought into your purity essay."

  "Yes," Mr. Simon put in. "A lot of thought."

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  Whoa. Wait! Was Debbie imagining things or were five of her teachers actually sitting right in front of her and telling her the Treemont wasn't her speed because she was too much of a slut} Was she imagining the vibe in the air? And that strange look on Simon's face that seemed to say, I don't think you'd be capable of writing a good purity essay because you have no clue what purity is ?

  She got up from her chair and grabbed her bag. Catty girls she could handle, even moronic boys she could accept. But now her teachers were talking about her too? Were they just going to laugh at her the second she was gone?

  "Thanks, Debbie!" the vice principal
called out.

  Debbie closed the door behind her without saying good-bye. It was all she could do to keep from flipping him the bird.

  No. Nononononononono.

  "Mom. Come on! Isn't there someone else who can pick you up?" Eva pleaded. She checked her watch as she gripped the phone for dear life with her other hand. Riley was supposed to be there in half an hour. He was probably already on his way.

  "Look, Cheryl called in sick and Missy was supposed to take me to pick up the car, but her kid called with some emergency. There's no one else," Eva's mother said.

  "But Mom, I can't call my friends again. I've already called them too many times. They're not a taxi service," Eva said.

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  "Eva Marie Farrell, if your overprivileged friends can't help you out every once in a while, then what kind of friends are they?"

  Oh, she hated her mother sometimes. She hated her bitterness and her self-righteousness and how sometimes, like right then, she seemed to actually resent Eva for having friends. And now she was going to have to hate her for ruining her first date, what could have potentially turned into her first kiss. The best night of her life.

  "Don't forget to bring the checkbook," her mother told her. "We'll have to get the car out of hock."

  Eva slammed the phone down, her mind reeling. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do. She was not going to leave her mother stranded at Urgent Care all night, and she didn't have money to pay for a cab. Besides, her mother needed her to bring the checkbook. So her only option was to go save her mother. Again.

  She dialed Mandy's number, pressing the keys so hard she was sure they would break.

  "I'll be right there," Mandy said.

  "Are you sure I'm not interrupting anything?" Eva asked.

  "Eva, please, you have no idea how much I want to get out of here right now."

  Her friends seemed to be saying that a lot lately, not that Eva didn't understand. At that moment she would rather have been anywhere but home.

  Mandy was at Eva's front door in less than fifteen minutes, breaking all previous records. By the time she opened

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