Soda Pop

Chapter 30- The Criminal

I wasn't mad, I was actually just kind of confused. Okay, maybe I was teensy bit mad. Or more like fiery rage.

The rumors had been circulating for years. Ever since my freshman year, when this all started. Every once in a while a new person would claim they knew who Soda Pop was. This time, the rumor hit me a little harder than I expected.

"He was caught with 5 of the cans! Four are from tests that haven't even happened yet, and one is from a test awhile ago," Courtney explains.

"Him? Seriously? I can't believe it? I can't believe he hasn't told me," I lean against the lockers, my mind racing. Why wouldn't he have told me?

Although, you have to give him credit. He has kept it under the weather. What was he supposed to say? "Oh, did you see the weather forecast for the week? It's supposed to be chilly. And by the way, I have been selling teacher's test answers to gain a little cash on the side. But don't tell anyone!"

He is practically a drug dealer. But at least the people he sells to have better grades. And the better the grades, the more prestigious our school gets. Better grades = more funding.

I'm just glad I promised to myself no more cheating.

I have Brett now. And he is going to whip me into shape. Not exercise shape, of course. Mental shape.

But, seriously, homecoming is only a couple weeks away. This year is almost over. And by New Years Eve, I'll be applying to my colleges. The second half of the school year will go by in a blur. And by prom, I have to be ready. I have to be all caught up. I have to be ready. When I take the ACT, Brett won't be able to be there holding my hand. I have to know this stuff. I've already wasted too much time.

Senior year is the time when you're supposed to enjoy yourself. But not me. I'm going to be studying. Unlike Della , and Courtney, and most of the kids at my school, I actually care. So while they will be out partying, I'll be at home reading a textbook. This is like the ultimate sacrifice.

I am literally giving up all the popularity I've worked for, for years. I went from being a geeky girl who never spoke to anyone, to one of the most popular girls in the city. I didn't realize what I was missing out on, before I became popular.

You may be asking yourself: Do you regret it? It meaning ever even applying to Crumberlin. The answer to that is no. I dont. I mean, I sure do wish I had been paying attention during most of those lectures, but I wouldn't change being who I am now.
But, if you want to talk about change, I would most definitely go back in time and have ended it sooner with Marcus. Sure, we did have fun together, but overall I just wanted some of my best years of high school, on one guy. I could have had 50 more girls nights. Instead of wasting my time shopping for anniversary gifts, or going to college parties with his friends, even though I didn't know anyone. Or a boyfriend who actually respected my decisions, and let me have a say.

But then I would have never met Brett.

It's like it's all connected. If I would have never met Marcus, I would have never needed a ride home at that party. And I wouldn't have seen Brett. And if Marcus had never introduced me to Della and Courtney at a party, we wouldn't be friends.

I'm happy right where I am.