The next day was Tuesday, and the whole school was buzzing about my post and what it might mean. I heard it all: some hoped for a catfight, some thought I'd break down sobbing, some worried I might go Columbine. A few people came right out and asked me what I planned to do, but I wouldn't answer.
Only the Populazzi seemed completely disinterested. I wondered if they'd even show up Friday morning. Not that it mattered: the result would be the same either way.
I spent the week preparing. I'd have loved a lecture hall with an IMAX screen, but The Heap and my laptop would have to do. Edited together, my three favorite clips were barely two minutes long, so I'd have plenty of time to talk before the bell rang, even if I showed the video more than once. After I'd had my say, I'd post the footage online, so everyone could enjoy.
Thursday night I ran through my spiel one last time. It was solid and it was devastating. I felt strong, powerful, and righteous. I couldn't wait until morning. Just before bed, I hopped on to Cara Leonard Is a Great Big Whore to see what people were saying. Most sounded as excited about tomorrow as I was. I bet I'd have a great turnout.
As I was about to log off, a new post appeared. It was from Robert Schwarner. "'Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.'"
It was a Yoda quote.
Robert, with whom I hadn't spoken since I'd sent him away from The Heap, was sending me a Yoda quote through a site called Cara Leonard Is a Great Big Whore.
He could have been sending it to the group, of course—there was certainly a lot of anger and aggression there—but I got the feeling he'd meant it for me.
So why post to the group?
I looked to see if he was online so we could chat. He wasn't.
I read the quote again. What was his problem? Was he seriously telling me not to be angry? I deserved to be angry! As for fear, I thought I was showing a pretty spectacular lack of fear by standing up for myself in front of the entire school. Aggression? The Populazzi had been plenty aggressive. Wasn't it about time someone gave it right back to them?
Stupid green Muppet.
I turned off my computer and went to bed.
I kept thinking about the quote.
Worse, I saw it: Robert Schwarner, sitting in a swamp on a log, his face green, saying the quote in his squeaky Yoda voice.
The quote was crap. That's all it was. Happy Hopeless fan-boy crap.
I tossed and turned all night.
***
Eventually it was morning. I sighed. It was time.
I put on a very special outfit, grabbed everything I needed, and drove to school, making a quick stop on the way. By the time I got to Chrysella, the hall outside The Heap was crammed with people, but the crowd parted to let me inside.
This could have been because of my date with Trista.
Or it could have been because I was dressed like Princess Leia.
Not exactly like her. I hadn't had time this morning to go to an actual costume store. I wore my puffy white robe, with my curls pinned up in makeshift buns on the sides of my head. Instead of a blaster, I held a Ping-Pong paddle.
Trista was waiting in The Heap, along with the rest of the Populazzi. Once I entered, it was like I'd broken the seal keeping non-Populazzi out. Spectators started to creep inside to get a better view.
Trista rose to meet me in the middle of the room. It was a standoff at high noon—or eight a.m. She looked me up and down.
"What are you wearing?"
I pulled a thumb drive out of my bathrobe pocket.
"Trista, on this drive, I have a very interesting video. One I guarantee you don't want people to see. It's from a party. Stuff that happened after the word 'boo.'"
Everyone started to murmur. Trista's smug smile faded a moment, but she forced it back into place. "You don't have anything,," she spat. "You're lying just to get attention. That's all you want. You'll make up anything for it."
She sounded strong, but her eyes were frightened, and in them I could see her mind searching for a solution that would help her save face.