Page 27 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Everyone knows you only landed your roles because of your dad.”

“That’s not true. I earned my roles—”

“And you always get the lead in the school plays because your dad abused his power at this school.” She snorts. “All of your parents abuse their power. The wanna-be cheerleader’s dad weaseled her onto the team. And he weaseled you onto the team, too,” she says to me. “Total nepotism. I mean, what freshman becomes quarterback?”

“One who’s as talented as Zoey,” Jason says. “Tiffany, why are you dragging down the mood? Can’t we all just have fun?”

“Because she’s been poisoned to hate us since she was born,” I say.

Tiffany’s nostrils flare again. “You’re all losers, just like your parents.” She pins her eyes on Rylee. “And don’t think you can eat at our lunch table now.”

Rylee narrows her eyes. “I wouldn’t want to eat anywhere where you are.”

Tiffany guffaws. “Yeah, right. You dream of sitting with us. That’s why your pathetic butt practically begged to sit with us the other day.”

“Just ignore her,” one of the cheerleaders named Tasha tells Rylee. “Tiff’s upset because Coach yelled at her before the game—”

“Tasha, shut up,” Tiffany hisses.

Tasha lifts her shoulders. “Just lay off her, Tiff.”

The servers come with our orders. As soon as I get my slushie, I stick in my straw and suck up the delicious liquid. Ah. Now this is the good stuff. And then I dig into my burger which is one of the most delicious burgers I’ve ever eaten in my life.

Tiffany twists her nose as she watches my friends and me devour our burgers. She and her friends have salads, of course. I have nothing against salads—everyone has the right to eat whatever they want—but I have a feeling Tiffany’s been banned from eating burgers her whole life. Ever since she was a kid, she yearned for the love and respect of her aunt. Coach Abberton’s daughter Paisley, who is the assistant coach, was the same way. But it seems Paisley has changed, since she was the one who offered Rylee a spot on the squad. I wonder if Tiffany will change as she grows older or if she’ll stay rotten like her aunt.

My teammates and the cheerleaders talk about the game. I join in here and there, but I mostly chat with my friends and Mason. While I appreciate my team, I don’t like hanging out with them because they tend to get too loud and they also like messing with the female servers. No matter how many times I tell them to quit it, they don’t listen. And of course sitting in the presence of Tiffany the Witch doesn’t help.

“I think it’s time to go?” I ask my friends after we’ve finished eating.

They nod, also looking forward to getting out of here.

“You’re leaving so soon?” Coby asks.

“Yep. See you guys on Monday.”

“We’re getting together at Isaiah’s on Sunday,” Jason says. “We’re gonna watch the game and chill. You in?”

I hesitate. “I don’t know…”

“Come on, Mini Dynamo,” Coby says. “Don’t ice us out.”

“I don’t approve of that name.”

“We get this isn’t your scene,” Jason says. “So hang with us at Isaiah’s house.”

“I have a math test on Monday and I need to study.”

“Lame, Hastings,” Jason says.

“Takes one to know one,” I retort. “See you guys on Monday.”

My friends, Mason, and I leave the diner and get in the car.

“Well, that wasn’t fun,” Rylee mutters. “Darn that Tiffany.”

Mason takes her hand. “Are you okay?”

“I am, thanks. And Mia?” Rylee turns around to face her. “You’re not a has-been or a never-was. Don’t listen to anything that witch says.”

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