The Comeback

by Marlene Perez

  I was sending him a where are you? text message when Olivia Kaplan appeared.

  “All alone?” she smirked at me. Olivia was the biggest gossip at school, and I could tell by her smile that she was dying to reveal something.

  “Just waiting for Connor,” I said nonchalantly.

  “Oh, yes, it’s Wednesday.” Her eyes gleamed. “Well, I wouldn’t want you to go hungry. I just saw him drive off with Angie Vogel.”

  Which is why she’d hurried back to rub my face in it. I grabbed my wallet and car keys. “Oh, that’s right. They’re getting a jump on memorizing lines. I must have forgotten. Connor’s so conscientious.” I smiled at her as though I didn’t have a care in the world, but inside I was seething.

  “Of course that’s it,” Olivia said blandly, but I knew that look on her face. It was the look of a gossip hound on the trail of a juicy scent.

  I was going to kill Connor when I caught up with him.

  I strolled away, aware of Olivia’s beady eyes watching my every move. Fortunately, Monet hadn’t left for lunch yet. I caught up with her at her locker.

  “Let’s go to Wicked Jack’s,” I said.

  “But it’s Wednesday,” she said.

  I smiled at some random guy who was watching us.

  “I know that,” I replied through gritted teeth. “Evidently, Connor has other plans.”

  “Are you okay?” she said.

  “Of course I am, why?”

  “Because you just smiled at Jason Brady, the guy who put his hand on your butt in PE when we were freshmen. You hate that guy.”

  It was true. I couldn’t believe I had smiled at Jason Brady. The guy was a total perv. A casual smile was like an engraved invitation to him.

  “He won’t bother me,” I said with confidence I didn’t feel. “Everyone knows I’m Connor’s girlfriend.”

  A fact I would remind Connor of as soon as I tracked him down at Wicked Jack’s and scoped out the situation.

  There was no sign of him or his gorgeous costar when we walked into the restaurant. Where were they? Connor was a creature of habit and Olivia Kaplan said she had seen them leave campus. I tried not to jump to conclusions. Connor had never given me a reason not to trust him. But I wasn’t stupid. Angie Vogel was beautiful, and he was spending a lot of time with her. He’d better have a good explanation.

  Wicked Jack’s is pirate-themed, decorated in head-to-toe pirates’ booty. There are stuffed parrots, treasure chests, and even a skeleton wearing a skull-and-crossbones bandanna. Tacky, but the food is good and affordable. And it’s close enough to school that we could make it back without getting a tardy slip.

  Vanessa waved at us from a corner booth. “Sophie, Monet, over here,” she said.

  I didn’t feel like talking to anyone, but I squared my shoulders and called out, “We’ll be right over.” Then, to Monet, I said, “Will you get me a salad? I might as well get the inquisition over.”

  “Sure,” she said. I handed her a twenty and watched her walk off. We’d managed to stay friends even though she wasn’t into the whole popularity thing and I was. I knew she thought it was silly to care so much about what other people thought, but she never made fun of me or trashed me behind my back.

  The girls at the corner booth, however, were a different story. They were my couples friends, girls who dated Connor’s friends. We had absolutely nothing in common, except that we were each one-half of a power couple.

  I plastered on a bright smile and headed for the booth. “Hi, all,” I said gaily and plopped myself down next to Vanessa.

  Vanessa was still dating Connor’s best friend, Chase McDermitt, who had been a total player before Vanessa organized him into submission. He still was a bit of a player, truth be told, when Vanessa wasn’t around. Vanessa was also in drama, but it was only a résumé padder for her. She had her fingers in every extracurricular pie.

  Everyone wrote her off as one of those bubbly blondes, but the girl was cold as ice when it came to her GPA. She was determined to get into an Ivy League school. My money was on Vanessa to make it happen.

  “We were so surprised to see you here today,” Haley Owens said.

  Haley dated Mark Vedder, a senior. She was a junior, had a passing resemblance to Alicia Keys, and sang in every musical.

  Everyone knew it would be over the minute Mark graduated from high school and left to play college basketball on the East Coast. Everybody except Haley, that is.

  “No biggie,” I said. “Connor wanted a little more rehearsal time, that’s all. And I thought it might be fun to mix it up a little.”

  Connor had his faults, but a wandering eye wasn’t one of them. He peppered his conversation with way too many bro’s and dude’s, had once eaten an entire apple pie without offering me a slice, and sophomore year, during his annual ski trip with his parents, had forgotten to call me for an entire week. That was it for Connor’s faults.

  Haley piped up. “I’d be careful, Sophie,” she said. “Angie Vogel is serious competition. And they’ve been spending a lot of time together. Jason says she’s all Connor talks about these days.”

  “He does, does he?” I said. I started to say something more, something I’d probably regret, but Monet came to the table loaded down with our lunch.

  Vanessa leaned in close to me. “Sophie, I just want you to know that no matter what happens, we’re still here for you.”

  I’d believe that when I saw it, I thought. And I ignored the rest of what she was trying to say.

  “Everything is fine,” I assured them. “Connor’s just excited about his role. It’s a big deal for him. Who knows where it could take him? You know how important extracurricular activities are on college applications.”

  They all nodded in agreement, but Monet gave me an inquiring look.

  As if the whole subject bored me, I speared a leaf of lettuce with my fork. “Now, what’s been going on with you guys? I’ve been so busy with rehearsals that I need you to catch me up on the latest.” But as I put the lettuce in my mouth, it tasted a little like sawdust.

  Haley said, “Speaking of rehearsals, how’s it going with gorgeous Dev?” She glanced at Monet and shrugged. “I know he’s your brother, but he’s totally hot.”

  Monet replied, “But Sophie and my brother have known each other forever. She’s immune to his questionable charms, right, Soph?”

  “Exactly,” I said firmly. “Dev’s like a brother to me.” Monet had been burned before by so-called friends who just wanted to get closer to Dev. It was always a sore topic.

  Besides, I didn’t need any speculation going around about my costar and me. Not when there was evidently already enough gossip about Connor and Angie.

  I’d talk to him and make it clear that his professional admiration for his leading lady was becoming fodder for gossip. I didn’t realize that it was much too late for a heart-to-heart with my boyfriend. Matters were already well out of my hands.

  Chapter 5

  That afternoon, I headed to rehearsal happily, assuming that my tiff with Connor would blow over. As I walked by the vending machines on the way to the auditorium, Alexa Campbell ran smack into me. She was eating a chocolate bar, which she managed to get all over my pristine white shirt.

  “I…I…I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “Don’t tell my mom, please.”

  Alexa’s mom owned a successful chain of weight-loss facilities.

  “I don’t need to tell your mom you’re sneaking chocolate—it’s obvious from looking at you.” The words just popped out of my mouth.

  “What a bitch,” I heard someone behind me say, as (of course) Alexa burst into tears.

  Belatedly, I remembered how Monet was always reminding me to think before I spoke.

  “It’s okay, Alexa,” I said. But she just cried harder.

  I ignored the mutterings behind me as I tried to console her. Geesh, some people were so sensitive.

  “Here, let me wipe it off,” she said.

  “No!” I said. But
it was too late. Now there was a huge chocolate smear across my chest.

  I glared at Alexa and she started to cry again. Giving up, I went into the bathroom and dabbed at it with some wet paper towels, but the stain didn’t come off. Now it was a wet chocolate smear.

  I checked my watch. I was going to be late. There wasn’t time to go back to my locker and change into a new shirt. Of course I had an extra outfit or two in there. A girl had to look her best or risk the ridicule of the world.

  I squared my shoulders. Looked like it would be ridicule today, but if anyone could handle it, it was me. After all, popularity had its privileges.

  Most of the cast was already onstage by the time I made it to the auditorium. There was no sign of Monet or Mr. Fanelli yet, so the volume was loud as everyone chatted or ran lines. We were supposed to be off book in a week, but some people were still having trouble.

  “Hi, babe,” I said to Connor. I put a hand to his blond hair and leaned in for a kiss. To my shock, he shied away.

  “Uh, Sophie, we need to talk,” he said.

  The room went deadly silent, which should have been a clue, but I didn’t catch on.

  “Sure,” I said. “What about?”

  He glanced at Angie. She nodded encouragingly. Not one blonde hair was out of place, and suddenly I remembered my chocolate-stained, damp top.

  What was going on? Since when did my boyfriend need permission from Angie to talk to me?

  I looked at him inquiringly, but he was silent.

  “Say what you want to say,” I said, “so we can get on with rehearsal.”

  In hindsight, this probably wasn’t the best approach, but in my defense, I had no idea what was coming next.

  Angie wrapped an arm proprietarily around Connor’s and whispered in his ear.

  Connor cleared his throat. “True love can’t be thwarted,” he said dramatically.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I think we should see other people,” he said.

  My jaw dropped. Someone in the back of the room laughed. My face grew hot and I held on to my temper with difficulty.

  Angie was obviously behind Connor’s sudden urge to date other people. They weren’t even trying to hide it.

  Rage boiled in my blood and I took a step toward her. My only desire was to hurt her as much as I’d been hurt.

  I don’t know what would have happened, but Dev stepped in between us. “Why don’t you and Sophie take this conversation somewhere more private?” he suggested to Connor quietly. “Angie and I will wait here.”

  I turned and marched off into the hallway, confident that Connor would follow me. Otherwise, he would have a full-scale scene on his hands.

  It was all just a big misunderstanding, I was sure of it. I was relieved to find the hallway deserted, though. I didn’t think I could take another public humiliation.

  That was, until Connor said flatly, “It’s over, Sophie. It just happened.”

  “You mean with Angie,” I replied. It wasn’t a question.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, staring at his hands.

  What could I say to that? I nodded, unable to speak over the lump in my throat, and gathered the shreds of my dignity. Connor didn’t say anything else but rushed back to rehearsal. To his new love, Angie, I thought bitterly.

  I waited until he was out of sight to burst into tears. I made a run for the refuge of the bathroom. It was empty, thankfully. I never thought Connor would humiliate me like this. I burst into hot tears but knew that I didn’t have the luxury of a good cry. My eyes swell up something fierce and I end up with little piggy eyes. Not a very attractive image, especially if I wanted the cast and crew to think I was okay.

  After a few minutes of deep breathing, I splashed cold water on my face, careful to avoid my mascara.

  I was numb as I walked back to rehearsal. I hadn’t seen it coming, me, the girl who had so carefully traversed the dangerous world of high school cliques.

  Monet rushed up to me as I reentered the auditorium. “Dev told me what happened. Connor is a complete moron to break up with you in front of the entire cast like that!”

  “Yes, he is,” I replied, “but I’m an even bigger one for trusting him in the first place.”

  “Why don’t you skip rehearsal tonight? Everyone would understand,” she said.

  I plastered a fake smile on my face. “There’s no way I’m giving Angie Vogel the satisfaction.”

  I walked over to Dev. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get this over with,” I snapped.

  He looked at me sympathetically, which made me want to punch him.

  “What’s your problem?” I said. I was being a total bitch to him and it wasn’t even his fault, but I couldn’t seem to help myself.

  Dev didn’t respond to my nasty behavior. Instead, he flipped open his playbook and gave me my prompt.

  I tried to keep my mind on my role, but I couldn’t help dwelling on my current situation. The breakup would be all over the school tomorrow and there would be no possibility of spinning it that it was a mutual decision. Not after the center-stage dumping I’d just received.

  Chapter 6

  The next morning I woke up with a sore throat, watery eyes, and a fever.

  I dragged myself to the kitchen table, where Mom had breakfast ready. I poured myself a glass of orange juice. It hurt to swallow, but I gulped it down.

  “You look terrible,” Mom said. “You must be coming down with something.” She picked up the phone.

  “What are you doing?” I said.

  “Calling the absence line, of course. You can’t go to school like that,” she said.

  “No!” I said. I would be crucified if I didn’t go to school. Everyone would assume I’d slunk off to lick my wounds.

  “I mean, I’m fine, Mom. And I have a test today that I don’t want to miss,” I lied, I hoped believably.

  Mom put down the phone, but she didn’t look convinced. “Sophie,” she hesitated, but then continued, “is everything okay? I haven’t seen Connor around here in a few days.”

  “Mom, everything is fine. I see him every day in school. And we have rehearsals.” All of which was true. I did see Connor; I just left out the part where he was “rehearsing” with someone else now.

  I would have to tell my mom that Connor and I broke up. Eventually. But I needed time this morning to get ready and if I told her the truth, I’d never make it in time.

  Post-breakup wardrobe was crucial. I couldn’t look like a trollop or a nun. No black, despite its slimming effects, or people would say I was in mourning.

  I was kind of regretting the pint of Baskin-Robbins Monet and I had downed the night before, but it was a ritual we’d indulged in since the seventh grade when Stan Reno dumped her for a cheerleader. He’d had breath like a pit bull with indigestion, but Monet had been crushed.

  “Finish your breakfast,” Mom said. “And take some daytime cold medicine.”

  Thinking about the breakup had made me lose my appetite, but I managed to force down a few more spoonfuls of oatmeal, which seemed to satisfy her.

  I went upstairs and dug out my favorite designer jeans and a turquoise top. The perfect looking-good-but-not-trying-too-hard outfit. I used about a bucket of concealer and a little bit of blush to put some color in my cheeks. Even my hair cooperated, and I went to school confident that I looked my best.

  I ran into Vanessa outside before first bell. My prediction was correct. Rumors abounded.

  “I just heard,” she said. “I can’t believe it.” She dabbed at her eyes.

  “Are you crying?”

  “It’s just so sad,” she said. “You and Connor were the perfect couple. I would just die if Chase ever cheated on me.”

  I raised an eyebrow, but she looked away. I wasn’t going to be the one to tell her something she probably, deep down, already knew.

  “I’ll be okay. Thanks for your concern.”

  “But who are we going to double with now? I told Chas
e that there was no way I would associate with that, that home wrecker.”

  The fact that Connor and I weren’t married apparently escaped Vanessa’s notice, but I was touched that she was on my side.

  “Thanks, Vanessa,” I replied. “Maybe we can do something next weekend without any guys?”

  “Uh, sure,” she said, but she didn’t seem sure at all. There was a moment of gloomy silence and then she brightened. “Look at this,” she crowed. She unzipped her hoodie and pointed to her chest. I stared at her, not getting it. Was she showing off a recent boob job? A new tattoo? No, it was her T-shirt she was proudly displaying.

  “Don’t you love it?” she asked.

  It read TEAM DONNELLY in big, bold letters.

  “All the girls are wearing them. You know, to show support after the terrible way Connor dumped you to go out with Angie Vogel.”

  I suppressed a groan. Vanessa meant well, but the T-shirts would just call more attention to the breakup.

  “Thanks, Vanessa,” I managed to reply, “but I’m fine.”

  She looked at me sympathetically but didn’t outright call me a liar, which I supposed was something.

  Still, I wasn’t surprised when I saw her at lunch with her hoodie firmly zipped over her T-shirt, which made sense given that she was sitting with Chase, Connor, and Angie.

  I think I would have been able to ignore it if Angie and Connor had kept their relationship low profile, but for the rest of the week they seemed to be determined to rub it in my face. They even did an interview for the school paper, for God’s sake. And because Colin Jensen, the editor, was a total perv, there was a huge photo of Connor and Angie. Angie, of course, looked totally amazing.

  Suddenly, Angie Vogel was Mother Teresa and a Playboy centerfold all rolled up in one glamorous package.

  I couldn’t compete. Did I even want to? I mean, I recycled regularly and there was that whole beach cleanup thing I organized last year on Earth Day, but Angie was organizing a food drive, a book drive, and a sit-in.