Free Alice in Wonderland High by Rachel Shane Page A

you in?” She pleaded with her eyes. I got the message loud and clear: I better agree and shut up about my ho pas .
    â€œUm, sure.”
    I’d lost my chance with Whitney; I couldn’t carry out anything myself without it resulting in disaster. And yet . . . my old life fit me about as well as an outgrown pair of pants that squeezed my flesh and cut off my circulation.
    I knew I’d have to work harder. Either at finding a way into Whitney’s group or at forgetting they existed.
    Our gym teacher blew his whistle to start class. “We’re running laps today, people.” Apparently a student had gotten injured earlier in the day on the flood-warped gym floors, so the teachers were forced to switch the curriculum to the Presidential Fitness test we usually did in the spring. “If you have to walk, that’s fine for today. But do your best. It’s a caucus race. No winner, no beginning, no end, just running.”
    The athletes didn’t waste any time, charging for the track and competing against each other. I jogged at a comfortable pace with Dru and Di. And Quinn.
    â€œSo are you moving out of town?” Dru asked Quinn.
    â€œNope.” There was a hop in her step. Odd. Most people didn’t get excited about staying in Wonderland. I was curious what she had to say, but then Chess swept past me in a quick run, his hair as messy as ever. No one ran beside him. “My parents are building—”
    I may have failed with Whitney, but maybe there was still hope with Chess. “Be right back.”
    I launched into an Olympic-speed run to catch up with him. Something rattled in my pocket, but I ignored it. My heart woke up from a nap and rammed against my chest. Since my legs were so short, I had to run a lot faster, but I had extra motivation now. I sped past other students, who watched me like I was crazy for participating in class with such enthusiasm.
    Maybe they were on to something.
    By the time I caught up with him three-quarters of the way around the track, my breath came in punching gasps and my blonde hair stuck to my neck. I wished I’d had the foresight to bring a ponytail holder. Or my game.
    His feet slapped against the ground, and I’m not ashamed to admit I checked out his butt while I evened my breath. At least I wore a smile when I approached him. “Hey,” I said. It was all I could get out between gasps. My lungs were rebelling, but then again, so was I.
    â€œOh, hey.” He slowed his pace and jogged beside me. “Nice stunt. With the no school, I mean.”
    â€œYeah, I didn’t actually mean to do that.” I wiped sweat from my brow. “Quick question and then I’ll leave you alone.”
    â€œNo, stay.”
    Even though my leg muscles throbbed from the torture I’d just put them through, it felt like they were dancing. “Is that what Whitney meant? With her ‘Open the floodgates ’ riddle?”
    â€œShe thought you were spying on us. This was her way of making sure you’re on our side. But you weren’t exactly stealthy.”
    I squinted into the bright sun. “I can be.”
    His feet came to a dead stop. “Why are you doing this?”
    I stumbled as I stopped short. “I want to help.”
    â€œYeah, but what’s in it for you?”
    You. The word hovered in my mind, but I kept it there, unsaid. Still, I knew that was only a small part of it.
    A few students jogged past us, tilting their heads at our association. Chess didn’t seem to notice.
    â€œYou guys are making a difference. Right?” Suddenly I realized I had no idea. Maybe I wanted to think they were doing good things.
    â€œYeah, we are. Sort of. In our own way.” He started a slow jog.
    In our own way . Chess had told me the group did stuff they couldn’t exactly brag about, and the “pledge” task they’d given me could’ve gotten me expelled. Which made me wonder . . .