Page 3 of Drifting

“Are they still planning the carnival?” Cin asks. “Last year, they canceled it ‘cause of some threat.”

“The last time I heard, it’s still on,” Kellie says.

I shut my locker. “I can’t go.”

Kellie gasps. “Why not?”

You would have thought I told her my life was ending.

“It’s the same night as the races,” I say flatly.

When Cin swears, I figure she didn’t know when the carnival was this year.

“But, it’s John. Are you crazy? This could be your chance to get out of here. He likes you a lot, and you’re seriously going to throw away this chance for some stupid race?” Kellie’s face wrinkles in disgust.

If there’s one thing I know for sure in life, it’s that I’ll never let a guy take care of me like the way Kellie’s talking. I’ve seen what happens when a guy takes care of a girl way too many times with my mom. If I get out of here, it will be on my own merit, not because of a man.

“Kellie, I like you, but you’re starting to irritate me, so unless you want another black eye, you should leave,” I tell her, my temper flaring to life.

Kellie holds up her hands. “All right, all right, I’m backing off. I think you’re nuts. You better watch your back, though. The other girls in school aren’t happy John’s interested in you.”

With a wave, she vanishes back into the crowded hall.

Cin shakes her head. “I didn’t know it was the same night. Would you go if it wasn’t?”

The bell rings, and I shrug, thankful for the interruption. It saves me from speculating on something that’s not going to happen.

I say bye to Cin as she heads for her first class, in the opposite direction from mine.

By the time I fight my way to class, I feel like I’ve been through a small beat down. Small halls and an overpopulated school will do that, though today seemed worse than usual.

Maybe Kellie’s right, and the girls are gunning for me.

Cin might be right, too, about not needing school.

I pinch my nose and shake my head to dispel that thought. As much as I’d love to say screw it to everyone, we need our diplomas. We’re barely surviving with me racing and Cin working part-time at a local garage. Deep down, I have a feeling there’s something better out there, if I can just stay the course.

“Good morning, class. Today is the last day for review before your finals,” Mrs. Ram announces, earning her a bunch of awhs and groans.

The next few classes pass in the same way as we all get ready for finals. I take as many notes as possible as the kids around me talk or text. Sadly, most of the students here will be lucky to even graduate.

When lunch time comes, I walk into the cafeteria and find Cin, sitting with our small group of friends, made up of the misfits who don’t belong in any cliques. I take my seat across from Cin, and I share whatever she picked for us to eat today. Looks like burgers and fries.

“So, I got exciting news,” Pam, the quiet one, announces.

“Let me guess. You’re going to be the lead singer in a rock band,” Cher teases.

Cin laughs, then covers her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you, Pam. I just pictured you in all black, with your blond hair dyed purple. I couldn’t help it.”

Pam likes pink, and she makes sure she wears something pink every day. I’ve never seen her room, but I’m sure it’s all pink, too.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with purple hair,” Eve, our resident punk, protests, touching the purple tips of her hair. “I think it would be cool for Pam to come over to the dark side.”

Eve’s head bobs like she’s in a concert.

“Ignore them.” I smack Eve to stop her from rocking out. “What did you want to say?”

Pam blushes as pink as the shirt she wears. “Kevin asked me out on a date.”

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