My head snapped around and I glared at her. Like she should talk. Her boyfriend was only with her because she put out.
A shadow fell over me and I glanced up to see Rex standing there, his arms crossed. “Portia told me about the Romeo Club. That you let guys pay you to help them with dates, so you could get a prom dress. You could’ve told me you needed one, I would’ve got it for you.”
“It’s none of your business,” I said.
He leaned closer. “You ditched me to hang out with them.” He nodded toward the Nerd Herd. “It was never about Science Club, was it?”
“No. Now will you let it go?” I slammed my locker door shut.
Rex stepped in front of me, blocking my way. “What else did you do for their money?”
How dare he. My hand connected with his face. My palm stung from the impact. “And you wonder why I broke up with you? It’s because you’re an asshole with a one track mind. Yourself.”
A handprint spread across his cheek as I pushed past him. Up ahead, I saw Bart coming toward us. He rammed his shoulder into C.C. causing him to drop his school books.
“You guys think you can move in on our territory? Get our girls?” Bart stared at the Nerd Herd.
“N-no,” C.C. said as he bent down to pick up his things.
“That’s right, you can’t.” Bart laughed like a hyena on drugs.
My fingers dug into my folders as I stepped in front of him. “Jealous, Bart? Worried these guys are competition? That girls actually want nice guys instead of dickheads like you, who go to parties and sleep with Tara Tolliver while their girlfriend is at a dance competition?”
His face reddened. From behind me, I heard Jasmine gasp.
“Bart?” she said.
He didn’t answer.
My gaze focused on Bart, Rex, and their posse who stood around us. “Instead of making fun of these guys, you should be taking notes and studying what they do. Because someday, they’re gonna go places, while the rest of you idiots will try to remember and relive that time in high school when you were so popular. For most of you, this is gonna be the highlight of your life.” Tears welled in my eyes as more people gathered. “But I tell you what, I’d rather spend hours studying with them, than two-minutes on a date with any of you.”
Kenadi pushed through the throngs and joined me. “Amen.”
Through the crowd, Trey caught my gaze. His eyes softened for a moment, before he looked away. I hoped he’d forgive me for not realizing things sooner, and for everything that happened with Portia.
A couple teachers made their way down the hall and the groups of people dispersed. My pulse thundered in my ears. I can’t believe I just did that. But I was glad I did. Someone needed to say something. It might cost me my place at their table, but in all honesty, I didn’t care anymore.
C.C. joined me, his hand squeezed my shoulder. “If I haven’t said it before, you’re pretty badass when you want to be.”
I smiled. “Yeah, well they had it coming.”
“I’m thinking we might need to call an emergency TRC meeting tonight,” he said.
“Agreed.” Kevin joined us.
“Okay, be at my house after soccer practice. Let Trey and Drake know,” I said, right as the warning bell sounded.
***
When I got home, I found the guys, minus Trey, waiting for me in the family room. I dropped my bag on the floor and sank onto the couch beside my brother. He draped an arm around me and I nestled my head against his shoulder.
C.C. leaned forward in his chair. “Trey said he couldn’t make it, so I guess we can get started. First question, what the hell happened, and how did everyone find out about this?”
My throat tightened as I sat up, curling my legs beneath me. “I—it’s partially my fault. I—that is, me and Trey got into a huge fight by the band room the other day. Part of it had to do with the Romeo Club. And well, Portia overheard us. So I’m assuming when Trey went after her, he probably explained what was going on. And, well, she probably opened her mouth. I-I’m so sorry guys. If I wouldn’t have cornered Trey, none of this would’ve happened.”
My vision blurred as tears welled in my eyes. I wrung my hands together in my lap.
Drake glanced at me. “What were you and Trey fighting about?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it right now.”
Kevin put his arms behind his head and readjusted his yellow beanie. “It’s not the end of the world. So, we paid Delyla to help us out. I don’t regret doing it. Who the hell cares what Bart says or does? The guy’s a dillhole.”
C.C. paced back and forth. “Yeah, it’s not like we’re any worse off than we were before joining TRC.”
“But what about Liza and Melanie and Chloe?”
Kevin chuckled. “Well, Melanie doesn’t go to our school, so I doubt it’ll matter to her.”
“Chloe didn’t even bring it up today,” Drake said. “I’m assuming she doesn’t care. Besides, you’re my sister, I’m not gonna hold you responsible for something I asked you to do.”
“Same with Liza, she never mentioned it all,” C.C. said. “You’re probably the one who will see the most backlash from this. You had a lot more to lose than us.”
“It’s fine. I’m done pretending to be something I’m not, you know.” I smiled. “Besides, I have you guys and Kenadi—that’s enough for me.”
“Then let me give you the official welcome into the Nerd Herd.” Drake put me in a headlock, while the other two dove on top of me in a massive pile-on.
I laughed as they messed up my hair and hummed the song to Dragons of Iconia. School would be kind of weird for a while, but I knew I’d be okay.
Chapter 30
Over the next couple weeks, Trey avoided me, like I had a case of the chicken pox. If I came home from soccer and he was there he’d stop whatever he was doing and leave. The Nerd Herd of course, asked what’d gotten into him, but I shrugged and pretended like I had no idea what was wrong.
At school, if we passed in the hall he ignored me or he’d turn and walk in the other direction. However, Portia seemed more attached to him than ever. Seriously it was like someone had velcroed their hips together and they couldn’t come apart unless pried with a crowbar. Every time I saw them together it was like someone staked me with a two-by-four through the heart.
Of course the prom committee was getting out of control with their constant reminders of the “big day”. Posters hung in every hall, outside of and in the cafeteria, in the gym, on lockers. Announcements were made every morning over the loud speakers. It was like I was running across the prom warzone. A constant reminder of the huge failure I was. Not that I needed to go, but, well, things should’ve been different. I’d been planning for prom since like first grade.
With a sigh, I slammed my locker door shut and headed for soccer practice. Before I reached the doors, C.C. caught up with me.
“Delyla. Hey, I wanted to give you these.” He handed me a pair of tickets.
“What are these for?” I slung my bag over my shoulder.
“They’re for the play this Friday. A thank you for helping me land Liza.”
I smiled. “Thanks. I can’t wait to see it.”
“So, how are you doing since your break up with Rex? I haven’t really had a chance to talk with you lately.”
“I-I’m doing okay. Trying to stay busy.” I unzipped my bag and slid the tickets inside.
“Are you going to prom?”
“No. I decided to skip out this year.”
His eyes widened. “Wait a second. You just saved up money to get your dress. That was the whole reason you agreed to help with the Romeo Club. Not to mention, your fall from grace for hanging out with us.”