Fitting In

Chapter 3 - Peanut Butter and Co-Ed Teams

Before I could get revenge, I needed to figure out how I was going get payback. I needed information.

First I texted Macey. I didn't want to bring Tyler up around Hattie, and I wasn't that close with the others.

Hey, This is Taylor.

Hi😁. I heard about ur locker.

Yeah, about that...what do u know about Tyler.

U sure it was him?

Pretty sure. It said we'll see. That's the same thing he said to me at lunch. Is this his number?
*photo sent*

Maybe...Ok, I don't know much, but I might know someone who does.

Who?

Ur not gonna bring me into this r u?

A good detective never reveals her sources.

K, I know he's the left running back on the football team. Practice is every day after school, unless they have a game. If you really want the details I would talk to either Katie Hupt or Wyatt Ostsien.

Who?

Katie is another ex. They had a really awful break up. She might be willing to give you some details. Wyatt is a long shot, but he's Tyler's best friend. It might not be worth the risk.

What happened with Katie?

He cheated.

Woah.

Yeah. He maybe really was an asshole. That would just make this new grudge easier. Someone obviously needed to take him down a few pegs.

I turned my phone off and slipped it into my backpack. I'll do some digging later. As I pull out of the parking lot an unknown caller ID pops up as the device vibrates. I leave it. With all of the spam calls nowadays, it's more suspicious to pick up than to ignore a new caller.

I turn up the radio and put on my sunglasses. I was pretty pleased with myself. I did good. Today wasn't awful, and I had a feeling this year would be... interesting.

As soon as I got home I ran upstairs, plopped my things on my bed, and went downstairs to scavenge for a snack. As I raided the fridge I played the message from earlier.

"Hello Taylor, this is Coach J. I heard you played soccer last year. I've also heard you were a great asset to the team, and one of the reasons why you all finished in states where you did. Our school unfortunately doesn't have enough players for a girls team. The boys team has already started practices, but if your interested we do have a spot open. Please give me a call back, and I can send you a schedule and add you to the group chat. Have a nice day. Bye."

I almost dropped my spoonful of peanut butter. No girls team? I haven't played with boys since rec. It's better than nothing though. I took out a sheet of paper and started planning out what I was going to say. Then I stopped myself. That's something the old me would do. I'm not going to be flustered by a phone call. Before I can chicken out, I call her back.

"Hi, this is Taylor. I'm definitely interested in the position." (Oh, gosh, what do I say now?) "Um...Just so you know I live a half an hour away, so there might be some conflicts with that. Thanks for calling me! Bye."

Gosh, why do I have to be so cringy? This definitely calls for peanut butter. I grab the entire jar and head upstairs. My mom would kill me if she saw me doing this, but she's too tired when she gets home to notice the peanut butter's gone.