9781250209153

5
Friday is the start of Homecoming weekend. I wake up early, straighten my
hair, and pull on the Fighting Reindeer shirt I’ve had since freshman year.
Daphne hogs the bathroom mirror, painting bright red GE letters on her
cheeks. The middle schoolers are always more excited than anyone for the
Homecoming game.
In a twist of irony, this is the earliest I’m ready to leave all week. If I
was picking up Irene today, there’s no chance she’d beat me to her
driveway. I almost wish she needed a ride just so I could rub it in her face.
And maybe so I could apologize for what I said yesterday.
Instead, I use the extra time to pick up coffee for my friends. Sweet
Noelle’s, the best coffee shop in town, has painted its windows for the game
tonight. When the barista sees me in my Fighting Reindeer shirt, she grins
and gives me a free chocolate muffin. I stuff my face with it when I get
back in my car, relishing in the privacy of driving alone again.
But when I pull into school a few minutes later, alone hits differently.
People glance at my car, but when I’m the only one to get out of it, they
turn away. I guess they don’t care about me unless I’m shuttling Irene
around.
I’m back to being a nobody, and I hate to admit it stings.
“Hey, happy Friday!” Gunther says when I show up with the coffee tray.
“Why the special treat? Is it just because you love us?”
“Because I love you, and because I’m free.” I drop my backpack and
lean against Danielle’s locker. “No more carpooling for me.”
I thought it would feel euphoric to announce that, but surprisingly, I feel
kind of bereft.