Chapter 16
On the bus, I take a seat near the back and pull out my phone. Even though I’m out of practice, I could text Caro in my sleep. I peck out two words and send them to her:
Thank you.
I clutch my phone, but I don’t expect it to vibrate. It doesn’t.
From the school, kids emerge, fanning out, each looking for the bus to take them home. Among the crowd, golden trophies glint in the sun. I don’t see Sam. I think maybe that’s just as well.
Everyone is really quiet as they file onto the bus. A few kids nod, but most shuffle past, looking at everything but me. I figure my fate is sealed. Any moment, Tory will charge onto the bus and beat me with her own first place trophy.
Instead, she just flops down in the seat in front of mine. “You okay?” she asks.
I shrug.
“I figured as much.
