The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth - Alexandra Robbins [25]
Nobody told him that he was ruining his chances of getting into Berkeley. Now, among some teachers, Blue had the reputation of a student who was going nowhere.
Blue’s mom “had it all backwards,” Blue said, in assuming he didn’t care about the future. He thought about college constantly. And now he sat heavyhearted in the Government classroom, envisioning Jimmy leaving for MIT, achieving Blue’s goals. Throughout junior year, Blue had been convinced that he could “bounce back at any moment.” Now he knew his dreams were dashed.
As Jimmy and the girls discussed scholarships, Blue noticed that periodically Jimmy looked at him and their eyes locked for longer than a typical glance. When conversation waned, Jimmy packed up to leave. Blue gazed after Jimmy until he disappeared from the doorway.
WHITNEY, NEW YORK | THE POPULAR BITCH
The preps started taking advantage of their seniority immediately. Knowing that teachers wouldn’t punish populars, they skipped classes and wandered the halls, parked in the school lot wherever (and however) they wanted to, walked upstairs before the security guards allowed students to do so, and sat on the heaters in some classrooms instead of at their desks.
Before school one morning, a teacher asked Whitney to show two new girls to their first period class and help them adjust. Initially Whitney was annoyed, because new kids were usually outcasts. But as she chatted with the girls, she found them to be surprisingly cool. They were stylish, they seemed friendly, and they were twins, which scored them extra points. Whitney’s friends immediately allowed the twins at their lunch table because they “dressed cute” and carried Kate Spade purses.
During the second week of school, Riverland held its senior class elections. As usual, the populars ran the meeting. They had monopolized the student council since seventh grade: Chip had always been the president, Giselle the vice president, Bianca the secretary, and Whitney the treasurer. Most of the other seniors, including the punks, didn’t bother to show up for elections anymore. The band kids, the wannabes, the FFAs, and a few “weirdos” were the only groups represented.
The advisor called the meeting to order. “Do I have nominations for president?”
“I nominate Chip,” said Bobby. The populars cheered and the teacher wrote Chip’s name on the board.
A band kid nominated a fellow bandie, who laughed because he knew the nomination was a joke.
“Okay,” the teacher continued, “next are nominations for vice president.”
“I nominate Giselle,” Bianca said. The teacher wrote Giselle’s name on the board. When she asked if there were any other nominations, no one spoke.
“Now, nominations for secretary,” the teacher said.
“I nominate Shay,” a band kid said. Shay was the girl who had supposedly gained weight and frizz over the summer. The teacher wrote her name on the board.
“I nominate Bianca,” said Giselle.
Shay’s face fell. “Can I drop out?” she asked.
“No, it’s too late,” the teacher replied.
“Ugh,” Shay groaned.
“Next, nominations for treasurer,” the teacher said.
“I nominate Whitney,” Giselle said.
Whitney laughed. “Haha, for the sixth year in a row!” she said. No one ever opposed her.
Someone from the back of the room muttered, “Wow, hilarious,” under her breath. The teacher wrote Whitney’s name on the board.
Then Jessica, an FFA, spoke up from the back of the room. “I nominate myself,” she said. The room hushed. Whitney’s jaw dropped as the teacher wrote Jessica’s name on the board. Someone was running against her? An FFA girl actually thought she had a chance?! The preps shot “How dare you” looks at Jessica until they left the room.
Whitney was glad that her friends had her back. She was on shaky ground with Bianca these days because of Luke, her new best friend. Whitney had met Luke through mutual acquaintances after he graduated in June from another school. Whitney and Luke sensed a connection that they had never experienced with anyone else. Luke’s background fascinated Whitney; he had been a hard