The Romeo Club

My gaze focused on Bart, Rex, and their posse who stood around us. “Instead of making fun of these guys, you should be taking notes and studying what they do. Because someday, they’re gonna go places, while the rest of you idiots will try to remember and relive that time in high school when you were so popular. For most of you, this is gonna be the highlight of your life.” Tears welled in my eyes as more people gathered. “But I tell you what, I’d rather spend hours studying with them, than two-minutes on a date with any of you.”

Kenadi pushed through the throngs and joined me. “Amen.”

Through the crowd, Trey caught my gaze. His eyes softened for a moment, before he looked away. I hoped he’d forgive me for not realizing things sooner, and for everything that happened with Portia.

A couple teachers made their way down the hall and the groups of people dispersed. My pulse thundered in my ears. I can’t believe I just did that. But I was glad I did. Someone needed to say something. It might cost me my place at their table, but in all honesty, I didn’t care anymore.

C.C. joined me, his hand squeezed my shoulder. “If I haven’t said it before, you’re pretty badass when you want to be.”

I smiled. “Yeah, well they had it coming.”

“I’m thinking we might need to call an emergency TRC meeting tonight,” he said.

“Agreed.” Kevin joined us.

“Okay, be at my house after soccer practice. Let Trey and Drake know,” I said, right as the warning bell sounded.

***

When I got home, I found the guys, minus Trey, waiting for me in the family room. I dropped my bag on the floor and sank onto the couch beside my brother. He draped an arm around me and I nestled my head against his shoulder.

C.C. leaned forward in his chair. “Trey said he couldn’t make it, so I guess we can get started. First question, what the hell happened, and how did everyone find out about this?”

My throat tightened as I sat up, curling my legs beneath me. “I—it’s partially my fault. I—that is, me and Trey got into a huge fight by the band room the other day. Part of it had to do with the Romeo Club. And well, Portia overheard us. So I’m assuming when Trey went after her, he probably explained what was going on. And, well, she probably opened her mouth. I-I’m so sorry guys. If I wouldn’t have cornered Trey, none of this would’ve happened.”

My vision blurred as tears welled in my eyes. I wrung my hands together in my lap.

Drake glanced at me. “What were you and Trey fighting about?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it right now.”

Kevin put his arms behind his head and readjusted his yellow beanie. “It’s not the end of the world. So, we paid Delyla to help us out. I don’t regret doing it. Who the hell cares what Bart says or does? The guy’s a dillhole.”

C.C. paced back and forth. “Yeah, it’s not like we’re any worse off than we were before joining TRC.”

“But what about Liza and Melanie and Chloe?”

Kevin chuckled. “Well, Melanie doesn’t go to our school, so I doubt it’ll matter to her.”

“Chloe didn’t even bring it up today,” Drake said. “I’m assuming she doesn’t care. Besides, you’re my sister, I’m not gonna hold you responsible for something I asked you to do.”

“Same with Liza, she never mentioned it all,” C.C. said. “You’re probably the one who will see the most backlash from this. You had a lot more to lose than us.”

“It’s fine. I’m done pretending to be something I’m not, you know.” I smiled. “Besides, I have you guys and Kenadi—that’s enough for me.”

“Then let me give you the official welcome into the Nerd Herd.” Drake put me in a headlock, while the other two dove on top of me in a massive pile-on.

I laughed as they messed up my hair and hummed the song to Dragons of Iconia. School would be kind of weird for a while, but I knew I’d be okay.

Chapter 30

Over the next couple weeks, Trey avoided me, like I had a case of the chicken pox. If I came home from soccer and he was there he’d stop whatever he was doing and leave. The Nerd Herd of course, asked what’d gotten into him, but I shrugged and pretended like I had no idea what was wrong.

At school, if we passed in the hall he ignored me or he’d turn and walk in the other direction. However, Portia seemed more attached to him than ever. Seriously it was like someone had velcroed their hips together and they couldn’t come apart unless pried with a crowbar. Every time I saw them together it was like someone staked me with a two-by-four through the heart.

Of course the prom committee was getting out of control with their constant reminders of the “big day”. Posters hung in every hall, outside of and in the cafeteria, in the gym, on lockers. Announcements were made every morning over the loud speakers. It was like I was running across the prom warzone. A constant reminder of the huge failure I was. Not that I needed to go, but, well, things should’ve been different. I’d been planning for prom since like first grade.