My heart throbbed in my ears. I blinked several times and tried to speak, but suddenly it felt like my head was clouded with cotton, and I found it hard to focus. And then all the light went out of the world and I felt the cold squish of Cool Whip beneath me.
Chapter Nineteen
I woke up in a way I hoped would never happen again …
with my face in the sweaty armpit of the school nurse. She was leaning across me for something and jumped back when I let out a startled scream.
“Major Paulsen,” she said, clutching her chest, “I believe Delilah’s awake.”
Major was standing beside my cot in a matter of seconds, his bushy eyebrows wiggling furiously, as if he wasn’t sure whether to be mad or relieved or concerned.
I reached out for his hand. “Please don’t yell. I know I messed up big-time.”
His eyebrows relaxed and he squeezed my fingers. “There won’t be any more yelling. I think you’ve had enough for one day.”
I closed my eyes, remembering the crowd of students who now knew all the horrible things I’d done. “I got what I deserved.”
Major pulled a chair up beside my cot. “And what makes you say that?”
Behind him, I could see Jenner sitting on another cot, her arm in a sling. My lower lip trembled, so I couldn’t speak. Instead, I just pointed.
Major glanced over his shoulder at Jenner, and she looked at him, avoiding direct eye contact with me.
“Ah. I see,” said Major. “Well, that was an unfortunate consequence, yes.”
“I turned Ava into a laughingstock and made her cry.” I started crying myself. “And I snuck out of school and lied to you and ruined my best friend’s life.” I breathed deeply and choked a little. “I’m a monster!”
Major handed me a tissue. “First, there are no such things as monsters, so you most certainly aren’t one. Second, why did you do all that?”
I took the tissue from him but merely clutched at it, wiping my eyes on my sleeve. “I wanted to win the war.”
“You wanted …” Major trailed off and pressed his hands together, bringing them to his lips. “That was why you came to me.”
I nodded. “You said Ava was the enemy, and that I had to neutralize the threat.”
“Of course.” Now Major closed his eyes, shaking his head. “That was some … terrible parenting on my part.”
“No!” I sat up on my cot. “It’s my fault—”
Major stopped me with a raised hand. “Delilah, I talked to you as if you were one of my men. I didn’t stop to think how different the world works for someone your age. I should never have compared your situation to mine.”
His eyes narrowed and he frowned. “Of course, I may have handled things differently if I’d known exactly what was going on. Telling someone you’re doing a project on war is much different from telling them you’re going to wage war, isn’t it?”
I sniffled and nodded again. “Yes, sir.”
Major got to his feet and paced beside my cot. “In the future you will stick to the whole truth about a problem, and you will tell an adult how you plan to solve it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You will also …” He paused, glancing down at the way his hands were folded behind his back. “I’m doing it again.”
For the first time since I’d woken up, I smiled. “A little.”
Major let his shoulders drop enough to look sad but not sloppy. “You know, I’ve always excelled in every field. I was top of my class at West Point, and I mastered night drops in jump school before anyone else. But being a father …” He held his arms out, as if expecting to be handed the Worst Parent of the Year Award. Instead, I leaned into the empty space and hugged him.
“You’re going to be a great dad,” I said. “Because you always want what’s best for me.”
“I do,” he agreed, squeezing me. “Even if my efforts
are … slightly misguided.”
I leaned back. “And I still would have tried to beat Ava with or without your advice. Because I want the best for me too.”
“But you shouldn’t have to hurt other people to get it.” Across the room, Jenner finally spoke, though it was directed at the floor.
I slid off the cot and approached her cautiously, but she didn’t move to stop me. “I know.” I sat beside her. “You were right … about everything. I should have just let Ava have the position.”
Now Jenner glanced up, shaking her head vigorously. “No, Delilah. I never said that. You should totally be the lead reporter, and I still think you deserve it more than Ava does.”
“Thanks.” I ventured a small smile. “But I’m sure you would have preferred I not break your arm in the process.”
“Well, duh. But lucky for you”—Jenner raised her slung arm—“it’s not broken. Just bruised.”
I fell back against the cot in relief. “I thought I heard it crunch!”
With a sheepish grin she reached into her pants pocket and pulled out a cracked container of mints. “The bad
news … my Tic Tacs are now in powder form. The good news … I can still surf.”
I gave a happy squeal and hugged her. She returned it, and when we pulled apart, I crossed my heart with my fingers. “I promise I’ll never do anything to put you or our friendship in danger again.”
Jenner repeated my gesture. “I promise to never let you.” We smiled at each other, and I turned to Major.
“And I promise to tell you everything when I’m in
trouble … but only if we can get rid of the banned boy book.” I felt myself blushing. “There are guys in there you’ve … you’ve color-coded unfairly.”
Major raised an eyebrow. “I suppose you’re referring to the red border around that young man who calls himself your boyfriend.”
My cheeks warmed even more, but I nodded. “He’s really nice. And he’s changed a lot over the last year.”
“So I’ve read.” Major nodded to a copy of the Brighton Bugle sitting on the counter. “I’m not sure how much of it to believe, but you wrote a compelling article, at least.”
“Oh, it’s all true,” I said. “I fact-checked everything.” It took a moment for his last words to sink in. “Wait.” I frowned. “How did you know I wrote it? I never mentioned it, and Ava’s name is on the byline.”
“I’ve seen enough of your work to recognize your style.” He cleared his throat. “Also, Jenner told me.”
I looked at her and she nodded. “I told the headmaster, too, when he came to check on you. And Paige stopped by and told him Ava’s been bragging about the whole thing, so he’s really upset with her.”
I sat in stunned silence, cycling through everything I’d just heard. “Paige stuck up for me? Jenner, you stuck up for me? Even when you were mad?”
Jenner smiled and bumped me with her shoulder. “Well, of course. You’re my best friend.”
I hugged her again. “This is a horrible question to ask right now, but”—I glanced hopefully at Major—“do you think the headmaster might let me back on the paper? Since it wasn’t entirely my fault?”
Major smiled, as if he’d been waiting for that question. “The three of us will sit down and talk. I’m sure we can come up with something, even if it’s probationary.”
I gave him my most wide-eyed, innocent look. “Does that mean I can get out of being grounded, too?”
“Ha!” Major slapped me on the shoulder. “Never in a thousand years.”
When I was allowed to leave the nurse’s office a half hour later, the first thing I did was send a text to Marcus, asking him to meet me in the courtyard. Since it was between classes, I snuck outside without too many people watching, which was a good thing. I’d been the center of attention enough for one day.
As soon as I saw Marcus, I dropped onto one of the benches and clasped my hands in my lap. “Hey.”
He sat beside me. “Hey. Are you okay? I went by the office to check on you earlier, but you were still out of it.”
&n
bsp; “I’m fine,” I said, glowing a little at his concern. “I just needed to tell you something, and you might not like me after you hear it.”
Marcus bowed his head and leaned forward. “Is this the breakup talk?”
“No!” I grabbed one of his hands and held it tight. “I mean, you might want to when I’m finished, but … but I don’t want to.”
“Okay.” Marcus gave me a curious smile. “Who did you murder?”
I told him everything I’d done, from the Renee Mercer incident on. A couple times he smiled, but most of the time he sat quietly and shook his head. When I felt like I’d reached the end of my story, I let go of his hand and took a deep breath.
“Well … now you know what kind of person I am.”
Instead of storming off in disgust, Marcus busted out laughing. “Delilah, I’ve always known what kind of person you are.”
I squinted at him, not sure if I should be offended or relieved. “You have?”
“Yes!” He took my hand. “You want to win at everything, but sometimes you don’t think about how you’re getting there. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.”
I blushed and nodded. “Thanks … for not hating me.”
“Everybody makes mistakes,” he said with a grin. “Yours are just more exciting.”
He leaned over and kissed me, and I hugged him tight.
“I’m dropping the whole issue with Katie,” I mumbled into his shoulder.
Marcus leaned back. “Not because of me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course not. And not because of anybody else, either. I just … I know people will treat her differently if they find out.”
Marcus smiled. “Cool.”
I wanted to stay with him all afternoon, but I was sure that Major would come looking for me and wouldn’t be thrilled to find Marcus attached to my face. So, I gave him one last kiss and said good-bye. I would, after all, see him the next morning … along with the rest of the
school.
Major let me stay home for the afternoon, but I knew I had to go back the next morning or risk becoming a seventh-grade dropout. Jenner waited for me by the front doors, and the two of us braved the hall and the dozens of staring eyes that watched to see what excitement we’d cause
next.
“I feel like one of those celebrities caught in some major scandal,” I whispered to Jenner.
“I feel like we’re the last humans in a school full of zombies, and they’re just waiting to catch us off guard and eat our brains.” I gave her a look and she shrugged. “Dawn of the Dead was on last night.”
“Okay, then.” I scooted closer to her, doing my best not to meet any of the intense stares. “How much longer do you think we’ll feel like celebrities slash zombie bait?”
“Only until the next major scandal hits our school. Maybe we should convince that juvie girl to go public. Ooh!” She grabbed my arm. “Or maybe you can get Katie to come clean about her pyro past.”
I shook my head. “It really is her story to tell when she’s ready. I’m not going to push her.”
“Aww.” Jenner squeezed me. “Look at you! Caring about other people. Between you and Paige, it almost feels like Christmas.”
“Speaking of Paige.” I nodded down the hall where she was leaning against her locker, filing her nails. “I should probably go thank her.”
Jenner and I walked up to Paige, but before I could say anything, Paige spoke first.
“I hear Ava’s sparkling personality is really showing.” She glanced up from her perfectly rounded nails and smirked. “Not that I’ve had a chance to judge for myself. Apparently, she’s not coming back until next week.”
I nodded. “Until then, I’ll be thinking of ways to apologize that won’t end with her spitting in my face.”
“Good.” Paige returned her nail file to her locker. “Then you’ll be too busy to think about the bad news I have to give you.”
“Let me guess.” I squinted and massaged the sides of my skull. “I’m no longer eligible for the Debutantes.”
She sighed and patted my shoulder. “Sorry. But if you want, you can still tell me what you learned about Katie.” She gave me her most winning smile, complete with toothpaste-commercial gleam.
I sighed and patted her shoulder. “Sorry. Not gonna happen, but I can tell you she didn’t get invited to any Nouveau Fashion premiere.”
Paige thought about it for a second and shrugged. “Good enough for me.”
“Are you guys going to give the spot to Ava, then?” Jenner asked her.
“Actually,” said Paige, “the Debutantes talked, and we decided not to include a member of the newspaper staff. We realized that Ava and Delilah would do more harm for our reputation than good.”
“That’s true,” I said. “Especially since I plan to behead a live chicken in the cafeteria for an encore.”
“Oh. Heh-heh.” Paige laughed nervously and looked around. “Listen, Delilah,” she said in a low voice, “I like you as a person. And Jenner, I bothered to learn how to say your name, so that should tell you something.”
“Definitely,” said Jenner, winking at me.
“Great.” Paige clapped her hands together. “Then you’ll both understand that even though we might be friends … I can’t be seen with you right now. Not until the whole thing with Delilah blows over, anyway.” Paige winced and bit her lip. “You understand, right?”
“Of course.” I elbowed Jenner and she nodded solemnly. “It was very noble of you to risk your reputation just to tell us this much.”
Paige rolled her eyes and grunted. “You guys think I’m shallow, don’t you?”
“Only as shallow as a wading pool,” I assured her. Paige opened her mouth for an argument, but I stopped her. “I’m kidding. You were nice enough to defend me in front of the headmaster. We shouldn’t expect you to do too much at once.”
“Yeah, we’re just hoping that by next semester, you’ll still remember we’re in the same grade,” agreed Jenner.
Paige looked pained but backed away. “Okay. I guess … bye for now. And good luck with your lives.”
As Paige hurried away, Jenner turned to me and smiled. “‘Bye for now and good luck with your lives.’ She should write greeting cards.”
“I should have known it wouldn’t last,” I said. “My hair clashed with everything in her wardrobe.”
Jenner sighed and rubbed her bruised arm. “Well, you didn’t get into the Little Debbies. …”
“Nope.”
“You didn’t steal Ben away from Ava. …”
I shook my head. “If anything, I brought them closer together.”
“And if you’re lucky, you’ll be a probationary member of the newspaper.”
I rubbed my hands together. “All in all, I’d say a pretty successful start to the school year.”
Jenner laughed. “Was it seriously worth it?”
“Well …” I thought about everything that had happened recently—the people I’d gotten to know, the good things I’d done and learned … none of which would have happened if it hadn’t been for Ava and the newspaper. “It was totally worth it,” I said. “Although, if I could have changed one thing …”
“Yeah?”
I wrinkled my nose. “I would never have worn your gym clothes.”
Front Page Face-Off Page 15
