My Know-It-All Nemesis - Maggie Dallen Page 0,13

smart, for Pete’s sake. I wasn’t being gross about her body or mocking the fact that she worked a less-than-glamorous job to make money.

My joke might not have been funny, but it hadn’t been hurtful. I glanced over at her. At least, not intentionally.

And yet...she was hurting right now, and she thought it was my fault.

Worse than that, I felt like I could feel what she was feeling. The injustice. The unfairness of our situations. Her being mocked for doing what she had to do to make money while I was throwing a party for our class.

Had I been trying to buy my victory?

No.

But I knew how it looked. And she’d had a valid point.

Everything she’d said the other day about buying my wins, it had hit a nerve. That was everything I never wanted to be. That was how my parents functioned in the world, but not me.

I’d always known that, but I’d never cared if anyone else saw it. I’d never really cared who thought the worst of me...until Kate had said it aloud.

I cared what she thought. Why?

No idea, but now standing here under Mr. Gentry’s observant stare...this was not the time to figure it out. This wasn’t a time to think—it was a time to act.

“Kate’s right, Mr. Gentry,” I said, moving to stand closer to her, as if that could save her from the questioning looks and Mr. Gentry’s concern. I’ve got your back. I tried to show her that, but I had no idea if she got what I was doing. Her sidelong look was curious but hardly trusting.

Mr. Gentry folded his arms. “Is that right? You two are standing out here looking ready to start a war because...you’re working together?” Rueful amusement tinged his voice, and I couldn’t blame him for not buying it.

He wouldn’t have been much of a vice principal if he had.

Still, I wouldn’t be much of a class leader if I let him win. If I let whoever had hung that sign win, for that matter.

Wrapping an arm around Kate’s shoulders, I felt her stiffen. “We were just talking about the party we were going to throw this weekend to announce that we’re both running.”

Kate’s head whipped to the side to stare at me, and I got smacked in the face by her ponytail in the process.

Fair enough. I deserved that. I didn’t do this latest prank, but I’d teased her enough over the last two years to warrant a smack or two.

“What?” she snapped.

At the same time, Mr. Gentry said, “Pardon me?”

Kate’s eyes widened, her gaze ordering me to explain, and I cleared my throat. “Yup. I was already planning a Halloween party for the class at my house this weekend, and Kate and I figured—what better time to announce that we were running against each other? Again.”

“I see.” Mr. Gentry looked like he did, in fact, see. Right through my lies. “Well, that’s very…” He looked between the two of us with open suspicion. “Sporting of the two of you.”

I smiled, and Kate beamed.

Man, she could turn on that megawatt smile so easily it was a little frightening.

It was also...stunning.

I mean, she never used that weapon on me, and even now, the blinding light of her smile was aimed at Mr. Gentry, but I was close enough to feel its power.

What would it feel like to have her smile at me like that? A genuine smile.

A happy one.

One filled with laughter and—

Kate smacked my arm the moment Mr. Gentry walked away. “Okay, jerk, what’s your deal?”

Her eyes were narrowed, her smile gone, replaced by pursed lips.

“What do you mean ‘what’s my deal?’” I shrugged. “I meant what I said. We should host the party together.”

Her cheeks and nose squished up in clear confusion. “Why?”

“Why not?”

Her blank stare made it abundantly clear how dumb she thought that question was.

“Look,” I said, shifting so she and I could stand near the wall, away from the prying eyes of fellow students who were passing us on their way to their next class. “Just hear me out—”

“It’s guilt, isn’t it?” she demanded.

Ugh. This girl. She was infuriating. Such a know-it-all that she never gave anyone a chance to explain. To speak. Why listen when she already knew the answers?

“Guilt?” I repeated. “Why would I feel guilt?”

Her eyes dropped meaningfully to the poster in my hand, and I sighed. “I told you, this wasn’t me. I had nothing to do with it.”

“It was one of your friends, then.” She crossed her arms