asks, aloud so everyone hears, “Dude, how do you not gag?”
We’re all stunned silent.
Josh is the first to speak. “Andi, you don’t have to worry about that with Travis.”
Laughter erupts from each and every one of us as Travis leaps out of his chair, puts Josh in a head lock, and digs his knuckles into his head.
Someday, we’ll finish these posters.
Maybe.
Chapter 9
Before we can think any more about the homecoming dance, my parents are forcing me to get my applications done. It’s fairly simple. Everything is online. It’s just a matter of typing in my information and attaching my personal statement.
My mom offered to make a girls’ night of it to entice me.
She’s ordered us my favorite pepperoni pizza. No pizza sauce. Instead it’s made with ranch dressing. Yum. I can’t wait for it to get here.
“Wow, your mom went a little craaayyy on the snacks, huh?” Keesh says.
“Hey, remember when she wouldn’t buy you any of this stuff?” Steph asks. “The fridge was only stocked with fruits and veggies.”
“Dude, that would suck. How come she did that?”
“I was a little chub in ninth grade,” I explain.
“Nothing wrong with a little cushion for the pushin’,” Steph says, patting her belly.
“Definitely not, but not being able to eat junk sucked.”
“So now that you have a hot bod she doesn’t mind?” Andi asks.
“Partly that. Plus, all the running we do. She knows the extra calories won’t kill me.”
“You’ll thank me for all the running in a few weeks when soccer starts,” Keesh adds.
“I’ll never thank you for making me run five miles every day.”
“Dude, it’s not like you run. It’s more like a jog.” Andi chuckles at her joke.
“Ha ha,” I tell her.
“Ladies, the pizza is here,” Mom sings as she comes into the kitchen with two flat square boxes. “Dig in and then get to work on those apps.”
We all thank her and attack the pies.
“Wow, it’s a good thing Amy didn’t press charges when you ripped out her hair extensions, Meg. Or else you’d have to check the yes button for convictions.” Steph chuckles, as she clicks away on my parents’ desktop computer.
“I know, right,” I say. “Hey, so are we actually submitting these or just completing them?”
“I’m not hitting send until after we get back from our visit. Each app costs over fifty bucks. No need to spend the dough if I don’t like the school.”
Sounds like a solid plan. I save my application for the Cal State system, and then do the same for the UCs. “Done. All saved.” I clap my hands together, cheering for myself. “I’m ready to find a date for homecoming.”
“Did you finish Loyola already too?” Keesh asks.
Shit. “Oops. Never mind.”
But within the hour, all applications are complete and waiting to be sent after our college tour.
Now, we lounge in my family room with bowls of popcorn, Hot Cheetos, licorice, and KitKats in our laps while we watch the latest Step Up movie.
Homecoming planning starts tomorrow.
I’m sure I’m not the first to say this, but the SATs suck ass! So do the ACTs, but at least they make more sense. Who really gives a shit? I didn’t the first time I took this stupid test, and not this time either. Thank god that formality is done. If a college doesn’t accept me based solely on my shitty score, then so be it. I’m over it.
“Here,” Brody says, passing me some candy. “Chocolate always makes you feel better.”
“You know her well, Brod,” Steph says. “Now pass that over here.”
My goofy friend hands over a bag of chocolates as we leave the dumb testing site. We’re on our way to school. On a Saturday.
The rally committee screwed around and didn’t finish the decorations so we volunteered to come in and help. We couldn’t leave Andi’s big plans to a bunch of freshmen.
When we arrive in the cafeteria, it looks like a lot of progress has been made since we left school yesterday.
Brenda Rothert
Kenneth Oppel
Khloe Wren
Rebekkah Ford
Arturo Pérez-Reverte
Steve Stroble
Andrew Shaffer
D. R. Macdonald
Stella Duffy
David Foster Wallace