Thursday, November 10, 2022

At least someone needs me. I keep pressing forward, leaving Fiona behind. But I don’t need her this time. Once the group makes it to the locker room, I feel her touch again.

I jerk my shoulder away but turn to face her. “What do you want?”

 “Wh-what?” Fiona asks, confused.

 “I don’t want to talk to you.”

 “I thought we were friends? I just wanted to chat with you.” It’s not clicking for her.

I feel everything begin to bubble to the surface. “I can’t be friends with people who cheat, Fiona. What don’t you get?” My voice rises, but I don’t try to quiet it.

 Her eyes widen and her gaze darts around. Lucky for her, nobody’s listening. Yet. I’m not finished.

 “You’re an awful person, Fiona! You left me all alone on the JV team and made friends with the varsity girls. You think you’re all that, huh? You’re not,” I scoff, contempt laced through my tone. Heads are raised, intrigued by the commotion. Good.

 “Don’t do this, Audra.” Defeat wraps around Fiona’s words. She knows she can’t stop me.

 “You left me for a team that you didn’t earn your spot on.” Turning to face the other girls, I continue. “You heard me right. Fiona didn’t make it onto varsity. Her parents just happened to donate a ton of money right after tryouts. She’s a liar, a fake, and will do anything to look good. Even if she has to cheat her way there.”

 Hushed voices spring to life once the echo of my words stops.

 “JV girls, that spot could’ve been yours,” I finish.

Fiona looks around helplessly, but no one makes a move toward her. I don’t even fight the smile that dares to etch itself across my face.

“How could you?” she hisses. She grabs her bag and runs out.

The voices get louder, shifted glances are targeted at me. I change quickly and exit the locker room, following a couple of girls out.

Why didn’t that feel as good as it should’ve? I’ve been waiting forever to get back at Fiona for ditching me. But something doesn’t feel right. I take a couple of deep breaths, and understanding settles in. I shouldn’t have done that.

But I did it anyway.

A week passes, then another. I barely see Fiona, even in the locker room. No one talks about it, but I notice the consequences of what I’ve done. Fiona goes right home after practice, even when the varsity girls are making plans. I keep hanging out with the JV girls. Some people even make an effort to become closer to me, a sign they supported what I did. It feels good to be liked.

Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of The Power Trip.