Free Endangered by Lamar Giles Page B

seems shocked.
    The warning bell rings and the crowds begin to disperse. Taylor gives me a long look that sets me on edge again. “I really need Mei’s help, Lauren. I’d appreciate it if you considered giving me a pass on this one.”
    â€œI don’t control what Ocie does.”
    â€œYou’ve got more power than you think. I thought you would’ve figured that out by now.”
    â€œWhat’s that mean?”
    He shakes his head, and he’s gone.
    In homeroom I take my desk. The morning has already been a mix of rough and strange, and the school day has not started yet. I’m dreading what is sure to be a long, long Monday, and I reach into my bag to power down my phone. There’s a text from a number I don’t know, though the message reveals all.
    The bitch is back. Some ppl don’t learn. A little Neptune’s Fury would serve her well. BTW—like ur ’do. ;)
    My hand rises, and I finger comb my spongy hair. He’s here.
    I glance at the surrounding desks, knowing my Admirer isn’t that close. After all, me and Marcos don’t have the same homeroom.
    Dealing with Taylor and Brock distracted me, and I didn’t notice if he was around. Observing. I should be creeped out. It’s almost mandatory, right? But I’m getting used to his game.
    He mentioned Neptune’s Fury to bait me. After a weekend of silence. My strongest urge is to text back something mean. I fight it, cut my phone off instead, and leave it off for the entire day. I’m taking back some control.
    Should’ve been playing hard to get the whole time.
    Keachin Myer is not in my lunch period, but her presence is felt. Gossip is like wildfire; even when you think it’s done, the ground is still hot. Ready to ignite again. It doesn’t need a spark—it’s already fire—it just needs air.
    â€œShe’s the best-looking victim I’ve ever seen,” Ocie says, not above the fray. “I hear she’s a little testy, though. You know that theater girl? Melanie? Keachin bit her head off for staring.”
    â€œDoesn’t that girl have an astigmatism?”
    Some ppl don’t learn .
    Ocie shrugs, keeps chattering. If there’s one positive to Keachin’s return, it’s eclipsed Ocie’s irritation with me. The negatives, though . . .
    â€œYou think she thinks any of this is her fault?” I say, cutting Ocie off midrumor.
    â€œWhy would she? Coach Bottin’s the grown-up.”
    I nearly say, “But what about Nina’s crutches?”
    That would be too much. A connection no one’s made, and no one is going to make. What have I done here? Really? Is it possible that my pictures, and the subsequent scandal, have made Keachin more popular?
    Ocie kicks my shin under the table.
    â€œOw! What the hell?”
    She makes this really weird face, her lips pinched and twitchy, fighting a smile. She speaks through her teeth, “Don’t look.”
    Of course I’m going to look, because she’s cutting her eyes hard left. I should probably make sure I’m not about to be attacked or something.
    Jalen Palmer and Mike Harris are checking us out like we haven’t known each other forever. I glance to Ocie. “What’s that about?”
    â€œYour new look, dummy. You could’ve warned me you were glamming today. I would’ve switched it up, too.”
    â€œWasn’t on purpose,” I mumble. Jeez, do I really look that different?
    They stroll past flashing obvious eye contact, and Ocie’s smile almost cuts her head in half. “I want Mike.”
    â€œYou can have them both.”
    â€œStop. They are cuties, and Jalen’s in my next class. I can ask him about you. We could double.”
    â€œDo. Not.”
    Her grin retracts into something sinister. “You owe me.”
    â€œJust lattes, dear. Just lattes.”
    Dating is the last thing on my mind. Digital Photography is