Nothing is picture perfect

Chapter 10

53

"Oh my goodness are you okay?" Merit asked, her eyes full of concern.

Sammi nodded, rubbing her back. "I'll be fine." She said through gritted teeth. She went to see the nurse just in case she needed pain meds or a band-aid. 

*

The rest of the day was people pointing at her and laughing. She couldn't shake the feeling that Kylie was waiting for the perfect moment to strike again. And sure enough, after the final bell rang, she found herself face to face with Kylie and her entourage in the hallway.

Kylie's eyes gleamed with malice as she stepped closer to Sammi. "You think you're so special with your glowing hands."

"Actually no. I don't like using my power." Sammi told her. Kylie's group of friends circled around, blocking the path. Sammi felt a flicker of fear but stood her ground. "What do you want, Kylie?"

"You gone, but I can't have that." With that, Kylie swung at Sammi, but Sammi was faster.

She dodged the punch and grabbed Kylie's wrist, twisting it back. "I don't want to fight you." She said through clenched teeth. "P.S. your dad is a great self-defense instructor." 

Kylie winced in pain. "Let go of me, you freak!"

"You're the one throwing punches!" Sammi yelled into her ears. Her grip on Kylie's wrist tightened. Kylie's friends stepped back, unsure of what to do. They had never seen their leader in such a vulnerable position.

"Everyone's looking." Kylie hissed, trying to free herself.

Sammi simply said, "Just walk away  . . . got it?"

Kylie nodded and Sammi let go. She quickly walked away from her and her friends. 

54

Two weeks went by without any incident.

The whispers had died down and Kylie had mostly left Sammi alone. The cheer team was doing well with Sammi fitting in more and more each day. 

Kim and Shego were talking a lot more these days. They had even started to train together. It was weird for Sammi to see her mother and Kim spending time together. She knew it was for the best. They needed to mend their old frenemyship. 

One evening, after a particularly intense practice, Sammi and her mom were leaving when they spotted Kylie lingering outside. "What does she want now?" Sammi mumbled, her shoulders tensing.

Shannon stepped forward. "Let's find out." She said firmly.

They approached Kylie, who was leaning against a car, her arms crossed over her chest. "What do you want?" Sammi demanded, not bothering to hide her frustration.

Kylie looked up, her eyes narrowed. "I just wanted to talk." She said, her voice surprisingly calm.

"Mom, I'll meet you in the car." Sammi said, getting crazy eyes from her mother.

Shannon nodded, "Be careful." She walked away.

Sammi turned to face Kylie. "Okay, talk."

Kylie got straight to the question. "Would you vote for me for Homecoming Queen?" 

Sammi's eyes widened at Kylie. "What?"

"You heard me." Kylie said, her voice still eerily calm. "I want to be Homecoming Queen, and I need your vote."

55

Sammi couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Why would I do that?"

Kylie shrugged. "Because if you don't, you might find fire ants in your pants or worse."