Chapter 2

2

Back in class, Ashley was bragging, "Oh, early admission, no big deal." Her friends sneered at me. I sat down and ignored them. When Mr. Henderson called me after class, I walked right past him. He grabbed my arm. "Next Friday, there's a city physics competition. You're representing our school. Prepare this week…"

Loud enough for the whole class to hear, I said, "Not going."

His jaw dropped. The other students were stunned. "Is Katie sick?" "She loves competitions!" "She's just mad about the early admission."

Mr. Henderson sputtered, "It's a school honor!"

"Who cares?"

He was furious. "I always gave you priority! This is how you repay me?"

Ashley strutted over. "I'll go, Mr. Henderson. I only missed five points on the physics section last time."

"Good girl, Ashley. I knew I could count on you." He glared at me. "Ungrateful brat."

After he left, Ashley confronted me. "Don't think you're so special. I'll beat you at the competition."

I skipped studying for the competition and went home. My sister-in-law, who was watching my nephew, was surprised. "Aren't you prepping for the competition?"

"How did you know about it?"

"I'm proctoring. Since you're here, come with me."

"Why?"

"Don't you want to try the physics problems? They have two new question types, really challenging."

I was hooked. Besides music, I loved solving puzzles. The next day, I went to the testing center with my sister-in-law. She gave me an office to work on the problems. Near the end, she stormed in. "Some girl was cheating. I took down her ID number." She picked up my completed test. "Done?"

"Almost."

"I'll take this to the grading team. You can go home."

Outside, I ran into Ashley, Mr. Henderson, and her posse. They surrounded me. "What are you doing here?" "Jealous much?" "Probably wants that prize money."

Mr. Henderson chimed in, "You had your chance."

I frowned. "I'm stalking?"

Ashley smirked. "How else would you know where the testing center is?"

"None of your business."

"Don't be a bitch!"

"Buzz off."

Her friend interjected, "She's just jealous, Ashley."

"You too," I said.

Finally, Mr. Henderson intervened. "Ashley, how did you do?"

Ashley beamed. "Piece of cake. I'll definitely get first place."

Her friends gushed. Mr. Henderson was ecstatic. "I heard the new question types were tough. Even Katie… Well, I'm so proud of you, Ashley!"

Ashley smiled. "Katie can't compare to me. She's my loser."

I turned to leave. Ashley taunted, "Running away?"

"Not worth getting worked up over you," I muttered.