When I got to school; I parked my bike; then broke down and looked。 Ten; fifteen; sixteen;
seventeen; eighteen。 I folded the bills together and slid
them back into my pocket。 Was it more than Shelly had?
All through first period I was furious with myself for even thinking it。 All through second period
I kept my eyes off of Bryce; but oh! It was so hard! Id
never seen him in a tie and cuff links before!
Then at break I was at my locker when Shelly Stalls appeared out of nowhere。 She got right
next to me and said; “I hear youre planning to bid on
him。”
“What?” I took a step back。 “Who told you that? I am not!”
“Someone said they saw you with a whole wad of cash this morning。 How much do you
have?”
“Its … its none of your business。 And Im not bidding; okay? I …I dont even like him
anymore。”
She laughed; “Oh; thatll be the day!”
“Its true。” I slammed my locker closed。 “Go ahead and waste your money on him。 I dont
care。”
I left her there with her mouth open; which felt even better than getting her in a headlock。
That feeling carried me clear through to eleven oclock; when the entire student body
assembled in the gymnasium。 I was not going to bid on
Bryce Loski。 No way!
Then the basket boys came out on the stage。 Bryce looked so adorable holding a picnic
basket with red…and…white…checked napkins peeking out
from either side; and the thought of Shelly Stalls flipping one of those napkins into her lap
nearly made the bills in my pocket burst into flames。
Darla came up behind me and whispered; “Rumor is youve got a wad of cash。 Is that true?”
“What? No! I mean; yes; but I … Im not bidding。”
“Oooo; girl; look at you。 You feelin all right?”
I wasnt。 I felt sick to my stomach and shaky in the knees。 “Im fine;” I told her。 “Fine。”
She looked from me to the stage and back to me。 “You got nothin to lose but your self…
respect。”
“Stop it!” I whispered at her fiercely。 It felt like I was having a panic attack。 I couldnt breathe。
I felt light…headed and wobbly—like I wasnt in control
of my own body。
Darla said; “Maybe you should sit down。”
“Im fine; Darla; Im fine。”