Changing Fate Read Free

they put me through. A minute into their conversation, the new boy’s gaze switches to me for a brief moment. He shakes his head and turns back. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad. And why is he even looking at me? Are they talking about me?
    Ooh, if I had a dart in my hand right now, I could use Vivian’s blue streaks for target practice. My stomach growls and I quickly swallow my pills before Vivian attempts another “share your drugs” trick. I still don’t know what she meant by that. Did she really want my pills or did she just want my food?
    The group breaks up as I take my first bite. The boys fan out around the cafeteria and it’s hard to keep my eye on them all. Vivian sits down at her table with the new boy and leads a lengthy conversation that includes batting lashes. When her arms start waving, her chest shakes—which is probably her intention. Whatever she’s trying to make him do, her words aren’t convincing enough.
    I turn away to check on Vivian’s minions. One, two, three, four…I can’t find the fifth. Instead, Giana walks in and waves at me. I lift my head in acknowledgement and continue my search for the last boy. Charlie. Where in the world did he go?
    I take another bite and find his reflection in the window. He’s approaching me from behind, probably to steal my backpack again. In three seconds he’ll be at my right shoulder and I’ll show him what an elbow feels like.
    Just then, Vivian stands up and huffs out a frustrated sigh. She throws her hands in the air and stalks away from the new boy. He glances at me with a smile that fades in a split second. Charlie grabs my backpack and I curse Vivian for the distraction. This time, I wait an extra minute to plan my revenge. The first time was—okay , I admit it—kind of funny in a little kid way. But I’m not a kid anymore, and there’s definitely no humor the second time around. What are they trying to do, anyway? My lunch is half gone and my pills won’t do them any good.
    I stand up in time to see Giana chase Charlie through the side door with the new kid on her heels. I wonder how everyone got so caught up in this stupid charade. I grab my water bottle and plan my next move. If they’ve gone out the side door, they could be halfway around the building. I leave through the front entrance and cut across the commons. Then I work my way back and listen for footsteps.
    Sure enough, sneakers slap the linoleum floor and I stick my head around the corner to see Charlie charging right toward me. It almost makes me sad that I don’t even need my skills to stop him. All I have to do is stick my foot out. He stumbles over my toe and flies through the air. Mid-flight, I grab my backpack from his hands. It jars his fall and he crashes on the ground beside me.
    He rolls to his back but I trap him with my foot on his chest and point my water bottle at his face. “What are you doing? Does it make you feel good to act like a little punk?” His face pales and his mouth moves but no words come out. I shake my head. “If you’re going to act like a child, I’m going to treat you like one.” I open my water bottle and splash the last bit over his head.
    Giana comes down the hall with new boy next to her. She’s smiling like she knew I could handle it all along. The new boy snaps his gaping mouth closed and applauds. Right then, I feel bad for Charlie. He’s on the floor sopping wet, not because he wants to be, but because he’s friends with Vivian. I toss the water bottle in a nearby trash can and reach down to help him up.
    “If I were you,” I tell him, “I’d find some new friends.”
    He wipes away the water dripping down his face and looks at me. “How about you?”
    For some reason I glance at Giana. She lifts an eyebrow and waits for my answer. This is it. The time when everyone in the school finds out that I want to be a loner. Better sooner than later. “No. Sorry. You wouldn’t want to be my friend. You think a