I genuinely consider skipping chemistry today. I do not want to face Taylor again today, and I really don’t want to see Alex. But then I realize that if I don’t go to class today, I can’t go to practice, and if I don’t go to practice, I can’t put cross country on my resume, and I’ll never go to college. Can I just switch into a different class? Maybe I can just take biology instead?
In the end, I pace around the bathroom, nearly puke in the sink, and slink into class at the bell. I know we designated our group seating assignments, but I still glance around to look for any empty seats that I could switch to. The only empty seat is mine, next to Alex and across from Taylor. I sit down and stare intently at the table in front of me.
Ms. Greer announces that we’ll be doing an experiment toda
