Fate's Exchange (Twisted Fate, Book 1)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Alyssa

"Great job on the physical exams, girls," Mrs. Zimmerman, who we called Mrs. Z, exclaimed. "Every one of you improved in stamina since last time, so each of you received passing grades. Today we will begin a new section."

Mrs. Z stood at the center of the room, talking down to where we sat on the floor around her. I was on the edge with the rest of those who weren't cheerleaders. They were sitting in the middle, the only group clustered together as though stating their superiority. Why, I didn't know. We all knew what they thought of themselves, and it's not like there were boys present for them to look good in front of.

The stage sat to my left, its curtain drawn to hide whatever production was under construction. Three sets of bleachers rose behind us above the doors leading into the change rooms, one for boys and one for girls. Two basketball hoops hung on each of the longer walls, one on each of the short, which were raised unless it was game day. The lines painted on the floor made for two short basketball courts and one full-length. The size didn't matter. I only played when obligated to get a good grade.

"Can't we just like, have a free period as a reward for everyone passing?" a girl asked, and Suzie and the rest of the cheerleaders laughed.

How could they expect to be considered athletes if they were so lazy? It figured one of them would ask such a brainless question. Way to live up to the stereotype, girls.

"No." Mrs. Z smiled. She looked like a former cheerleader but acted like the girl next door. "We are starting our square-dancing section today."

A collective groan escaped from us and Mrs. Z raised her hand for silence. "Cheer up, girls! You don't want to be complaining when the boys arrive, do you?"

I winced as all the girls let out cries of excitement. Not me. There was always an odd number of boys to match the girls. I dreaded the reminder of my lack of social standing. I didn't have a lot of friends, but as far as I knew, I wasn't a loser. I wasn't bullied, really, unless Suzie was in a foul mood, but that applied to everyone—even the boys. I preferred to think of myself as being selective, refusing to lower my standards to settle.

The boys entered through the door connecting the two gyms behind me. I didn't squeal or run to pick out a partner like the other girls. I turned slowly, knowing that whatever boy was left at the end—if there was a boy left at the end—would become my partner through the process of elimination. One more month, and I would be free from this torture. Seniors didn't need to take gym class.

"Where's your friend?"

I turned to see David standing beside me in school-issued black shorts and a plain gray t-shirt. My heart fluttered, speeding up before stuttering to a halt. I didn't want him to witness my social failure, but he was watching me with a grin, and I felt myself melt to the floor.

"I'm not sure," I said, swallowing past the lump in my throat once I found my voice. "She's been MIA for the last two classes. I haven't seen her since she took off on us." I looked around and noticed more than one girl waiting for the chance to partner with him. "I'm sure you'll be able to find someone to take her place, though."

"Oh." He looked around, as though this kind of thing happened everywhere he went and wasn't a big deal anymore. "I came over to see if you would be my partner. You guys just seemed attached at the hip, and I wanted to see if she was okay."

"I don't know what she is feeling—or where." I shrugged, and a slow smile lit my face, not just at the thought of him asking me to be partnered with him by choice, but because I was anxious to enjoy the other girls' reaction when I said yes. "I'll call her when we go for lunch."