The Boy In My Head

6

J.P. just shakes his head like it's something he doesn't want to explain to me. Just then, my watch buzzes, and the entire lunch room goes silent. Everyone is glued to their devices, and I know instantly this is a mass message. Dad told me about a new feature with my upgrade, so I try it out. I mentally tell my watch to read me the message, and a computer-generated voice enters my head. "Who doesn't love fun in the sun?" it says excitedly. "No one, that's who!" "It's playing in my head !" Will exclaims across the lunch room, and people start cheering for him again. The computer voice continues relaying the announcement. "Join us for a pool party this Saturday, 3:00 p.m. at 1113 Mulberry Lane. Anyone and everyone is welcome." 1113 Mulberry Lane. I know that address. That's Aline Wright's house. I bite down on my lip and try to make sense of this announcement. Aline is inviting everyone to her house? I know she throws parties often, but what's with her inviting everyone? Is this some new way to try to boost her popularity even more? "You look confused," J.P. says.

"I don't understand why Aline is inviting everyone to her party," I explain. J.P. looks at me like it's obvious. "Homecoming." Oh. Aline is trying to win brownie points so everyone will vote her the sophomore class's homecoming representative. Well, I won't, I tell you. I won't attend her stupid "I'm queen of the world" party, either. But, then again, she did say everyone is invited. Lots of people will be there, and if I'm there with them, it might actually win me some brownie points in the social hierarchy here at school. Maybe showing I'm not all that bad or different could make people like me more despite getting upgrades before them. Besides, I've never looked terrible in a bikini. "Don't even think about it," J.P. says. His brown eyes stare into mine seriously. The thoughts in my mind must be showing on my face. "Think about what?" I ask innocently, even though I know exactly what he's talking about. "It's not going to make them like you any more," J.P. tells me. "Well, it can't make them like me any less," I argue.

"I'm telling you that you shouldn't go." Heat rises to my face, and suddenly, I want to go now more than ever. "Who are you to tell me what to do?" "Aline is practically your arch enemy," J.P. points out. I narrow my eyes at him. "What would you know about that?" He holds his hands up defensively. "Hey, I'm just trying to be a good friend." "Friend? I don't have any friends. That's why I should go to this pool party." I stand from my seat angrily and head across the lunch room to recycle my dishes. Where does J.P. think he has any right to tell me what to do? When I turn after dumping my tray in the trash, my eyes lock briefly on Will's. He stares back with a half-smile. My cheeks flame, and I turn away, letting my loose hair conceal my face. I escape from the lunch room as quick as I can.

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