*all rights to the original author*
Mr. Edwards’s speech had actually given me a lot to think about, so instead of going home, I headed for the hilltop that overlooks the football field. I sat down just about the time the football team started trickling onto the field in their practice clothes.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Lauren as she ran out onto the field. There was no spring in her step, no smile on her face. She looked as miserable as I felt. She was having a really bad day too, and not only was it not over for her, I seriously doubted Coach Lopez was as understanding as Mr. Edwards. He was obviously still not happy about two of his star players’ suspensions. Barely able to speak without yelling, he just choked out the word, "Laps!" and pointed his finger at the track.
Lauren started running, and as soon as Zayn showed up, he was ordered to the same punishment.
Zayn hit the track and quickly caught up to Lauren, but the minute he tried to speak to her, Lauren picked up her pace. "Jauregui!" Zayn yelled, catching up to Lauren again. "Come on, dude. This is stupid." Lauren suddenly stopped running and whirled around to get in Zayn’s face. "Get out of my face, Malik, before I pound yours!"
"Fine. If that’s how it’s gonna be."
For the rest of practice, Zayn was stone cold to Lauren and pounded her into the ground every chance he got. More than once, the coach had to pull him off Lauren before they started a brawl.
I hated watching Zayn use Lauren as a tackle dummy, but it was even more depressing to see Lauren so upset. It was so unlike her to be yelling and threatening to pound people’s faces. I missed that happy-go-lucky girl who made everyone around her smile. I wanted her back, and I realized that there was only one way that was going to happen.
Mr. Edwards was absolutely right about me having all the power. I was the only one who could fix the rift between Lauren and her friends. I had to prove to people that she wasn’t being brainwashed by the freak. I had to make an effort. I had to be nice. It was true that I couldn’t be both the ice queen and Camila. I had to choose. Right here. Right now. And thanks to Mr. Edwards, I was sure I was strong enough to make the right decision.
Well, pretty sure.
Okay, I wasn’t sure at all, I was terrified. But I had to. For Lauren.
My eyes fell on Zayn and I cringed. There was just no possible way I could ever play nice with him, but then I looked across the field at the small group of cheerleaders doing cartwheels and toe touches. I fell into a moment of nostalgia as I watched their routine. I used to love cheering so much.
Once upon a time I even wanted to cheer for the Chicago Bulls professionally.
My smile faded when the group stopped and I heard Jade’s shrill voice. "I swear, Celine! You’re a half second late on the entire routine, your handsprings are sloppy, and you haven’t landed your dismount in weeks. If you don’t get it together, you’re out! The qualifier for the state championships will be here before you know it, and as captain it’s my job to not let you ruin it for everyone. Let’s do it again! Everyone, from the top!"
Okay, I could never tolerate Jade either, but Celine? I didn’t harbor any real resentment toward her. And today in class, with Alexa, Lucy, and even Harry? Surely it wouldn’t kill me to smile at any of them once in a while. I didn’t have to be friends with them necessarily; I just had to be civilized. I could do civilized.
I sat there watching and listening and mostly thinking until practice was over, and I decided that I had to start with Celine. She was still the most popular girl in school, at least for now, and she meant the most to Lauren. Building some kind of relationship with her would make the most difference.
