Page 29 of My Rules for Revenge
“I’m getting revenge on Jacob for what he did to me. You know, the evil piece of trash who leaked my pics.”
“Right. I’m sorry you went through all that. What he did was wicked. Look, I’ll be honest: I don’t like conflict or fighting. I’m kind of a pacifist, I guess. Despite that, I still think Jacob deserves punishment for what he did. I’ll help you with whatever you need,” Eddy said, offering his support.
The knot in my stomach began to dissipate.
“That’s hot!” I exclaimed.
“Yeah, anytime. Wait, what?”
“No, nothing,” I replied.
“What…?”
Eddy looked perplexed while I tried my best to contain my giggling. I hadn’t meant to say that as loudly as I did.
“So, anyway, I need you and your basketball buddies. Do you think you could convince them somehow? I don’t have anything to offer in return. Maybe my friendship?” I suggested.
Eddy chuckled.
“I’m sure they would love your friendship. I can try to convince them, but I’m not entirely sure they would listen to me. They barely listen to me on the court,” Eddy explained.
“Shit”
“I know someone they will listen to,” Eddy offered.
Eddy glanced at Frankie, who held the soccer ball high up while a short player jumped up and tried to get it.
I made a face of slight disgust, like I had just smelled a gallon of spoiled milk.
“Oh. Cool,” I replied.
“Trust me, I get it, but deep down, he’s a good guy. He’ll help you and get the others to help as well. All you have to do is tell us the game plan,” Eddy explained.
I was lucky. If I didn’t have these guys to help me, who knows who I would’ve enlisted in my army of vengeance-seeking nerd destroyers?
In looking back, however, I often wondered if things would have turned out differently if I hadn’t enlisted their help.
“Alright, fine,” I said in agreement.
“I guess in this way, I’ll be making up for what I did to you. When I accidentally grazed your…you know.”
“It’s cool, Eddy. I was just mad at something else. You don’t have to keep apologizing.”
“Cool?”
“Cool,” I replied.
“So…”
“How do you guys feel about handling pigs?” I asked.
“I don’t have experience with that.”
“Not actual pigs. I’ll explain.”
Amidst the sea of students in the school’s cafeteria, Vivian and I sat exactly two tables behind Jacob and Carlos while they ate lunch. We made sure that their backs were turned to us so that they would be totally clueless about what would happen next. I readied my phone to record and waited for Eddy and his teammates to execute my plan.
“This is going to be the greatest thing ever,” I said excitedly.
