Rule #9

by Sheri Duff

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  I don’t see Jack all for the third day in a row. School is hell. I used to love the block days without first period, but they suck when Jack isn’t around. And now I have to deal with Sidney at lunch. She stops by my table and leans in. She’s pushing the limit, showing her black lace bra. When she leaves class, she unbuttons her shirt to show her cleavage, then, before she walks into another class, she buttons it up. She acts like we’re not aware. Trust me, the entire school is aware. “Where’s your boyfriend?” she asks.

  “I don’t know, Sidney.”

  She grins and then responds, “Funny, I do.”

  I turn away from her and look at my friends. Vianna shakes her head, and then continues working on her computer. She’s working on a section for the yearbook. Natalie glares at Sidney, then pops: “Why don’t you take your scrawny little ass back to your side of the room?”

  Sidney puffs air out of her nose, keeping that stupid little grin on her face. She leans back sideways and takes a look at our backsides. “I’ll do that. There’s more room on my side. Looks like you’re starting to take after your mom, Natalie.”

  Vianna turns her computer and shows it to Sidney. “I was going to put this in the yearbook.” It’s a photo of Sidney and her group of friends raising money at a car wash. Sidney looks like she should be in a magazine. Her hair is perfect, her clothes are perfect, and I highly doubt she did any work that day. “But you are nasty and mean. I’m thinking that we don’t need reminders that you existed after we leave this place.” Vianna slowly and deliberately drags to the picture to the recycle bin and then empties the trash before turning the screen away.

  Sidney stomps off.

  “Were you really going to put that in the yearbook?” I ask.

  “No, but she doesn’t know that.” Vianna winks.