Poppin’ was pretty empty because most people were still at the baseball game. It was boring, so we decided to leave right after we ate. We were too shaken up by the incident to really enjoy ourselves anyway. I just couldn’t stop thinking about Sydney and how she was going to face Megan’s group at school on Monday. Megan and her friends were popular and had a good bit of power over most of the students. But most people were popular compared to us. I just hoped that they wouldn’t mess with Sydney since she is a sophomore.
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“Thanks for the ride, Syd,” Destiny says as she opens the passenger side door.
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“You’re welcome,” Sydney replies but then pauses, “I’m sorry.”
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“Syd, you did what you thought was right. And those girls deserved everything you did and said to them, and you know it,” I want to cheer her up desperately, but she doesn’t seem convinced, “like you said, it’s not just about this! Megan and that whole group thinks that they can rule the school and terrorize innocent students for fun! They definitely deserved it.” I reach over and rub Sydney’s shoulder as I hop out of the car.
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“Thanks, Ness.”
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Destiny walks me to my house as Sydney drives off. We go inside to my room. My mom is already asleep even though it is only 9:30. At first I think it’s odd, but then I remember that she worked a late shift.
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“Dee, can you stay for a while?” I ask and a smirk begins to form on my face, “We could make brownies…”
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“Nessaaa, you know I can’t say no to your famous brownies.” Surprisingly enough, I’m a decent cook. My friends and family always shower me with compliments every time I bake them anything, so I guess my work looks as good as it tastes.
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“Okay, I am going to need two eggs, some flour, and chocolate chips to start!” I order. Sometimes I feel like a professional chef when I order people around in the kitchen. The truth is I can get most of my ingredients myself because I know what they feel like, but honestly it’s nice to have help when people are around. Not to mention, I can get started a lot faster.
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As I whisk away at my homemade brownie mix, Destiny startles me with a question.
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“Do you have crushes?” she asks in a tone as if she is asking what my favorite flavor of ice cream is.
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“Huh?” I ask not really comprehending the question.
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“I mean, do you like any boys? I guess when you talk to them, have you ever liked any of them?”
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“Well, I guess I’ve never really thought about it, but yeah,” I respond almost surprising myself, “I had a crush on Carson Ledbetter back in 7th grade. Was he cute?” I ask laughing, half-joking but half actually wanting an answer.
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“Eh, he was average looking,” Destiny says giggling. That’s the first time she laughed since the whole baseball field incident. “I just wanted to know if it’s weird having feelings for someone when you don’t know what they look like. I guess your relationships will be more genuine, right?” she concludes sounding almost sorrowful or even envious.
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“Yeah I guess so. But what if I end up dating a guy that’s really ugly,” I say trying to lighten the mood, “You would tell me right?”
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Destiny seemed caught off guard by my statement. “But what if he’s really nice, and y’all are in love?! Why should appearance stand in the way of a good thing? That’s what I can’t stand about our generation, Ness. Everyone’s so caught up with physical attraction, and it makes relationships so shallow and meaningless.”
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“You’re right. I don’t know why I said that.”
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“No, it’s fine. I can’t imagine being in your shoes. And honestly, if I was, I would probably want to know too. I was mainly talking about the principle of it.”
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I don’t know whether I should bring up the topic again, but I can’t help but ask. “Do you really like Luke? Luke Downs? Or was it just a name that popped in your head?”
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“No, I really, really like him, and that’s why I was and am so upset about it. Now, if I even had a chance with him, it’s gone. He probably thinks I’m a weirdo for answering her story and a complete idiot for even thinking I had a chance with him. Like Emily said, I’m just a nobody with a big, stupid crush on a somebody.”
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Just as I was about to comfort Destiny, her phone rings. It’s Sydney.
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Destiny picks it up. “Hey… What?!... They can’t do that!... What about Megan?... Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry… I can’t help but feel like this is my fault… Okay, I promise… Bye Syd, stay safe.”
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“What happened?” I ask very concerned.
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Destiny let’s out a sigh and explains. Sydney’s parents and the school were immediately notified when the security guard escorted her off campus. She is under a three-day suspension starting Monday for disruption, disorderly conduct, and threatening another student. Apparently Megan and no one from her group were suspended because they were not escorted from the game. The school made sure Sydney and her parents knew that they were “letting her off easy” because she could have been sent to ECAP or Juvie. Sydney is also grounded for the next week.
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“This is all my fault. Freak that stupid snap story response,” Destiny states clearly exhausted.
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I resort to one last attempt of solace, “Do you wanna lick the spoon?”
