Read Online Even the Score by Belle Payton - Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t on her side. “It wasn’t only my choice! Why doesn’t anybody get that?”
    â€œBecause you made the announcement,” Kylie explained. “You’re now the face—or the voice—behind the news. Personally, I support you and the drama kids. It’s always all about football here in Ashland.” She stood and reached for Alex’s paper bag. “Want me to grab that?”
    Alex nodded and watched Kylie walk off to toss the trash.
    â€œDon’t be sad,” Ava said quietly, placing her hand on Alex’s. “They’ll come around. They still all like you.”
    â€œIt doesn’t feel that way.” Alex gave her sistera small smile. Ava knew her better than anyone. “Will you talk to Corey and Xander for me at practice?”
    â€œI’ll try. But I also have a big Owen thing to deal with at practice today.”
    â€œNothing is bigger than this right now.” Alex wondered how she hadn’t predicted her friends’ reactions. She’d stood up in the emergency class president meeting for what she believed was right, and she still thought she’d made the right choice, but she also needed her friends.
    Maybe more than she needed the school musical.
    Or a scoreboard.
    She’d thought getting elected was the hard part. Who knew being on student council was going to be so tricky?
    â€œWant to bet my problem is bigger than yours?” Ava reached into the pocket of her zip-up sweatshirt and slipped out a small box. “Check out what you-know-who just gave me.”
    â€œOh, wow!” Alex lifted the silver bracelet from the box, momentarily speechless.
    â€œPretty!” Kylie cried, as she slid back into her seat. “I didn’t think you wore jewelry, Ave.”
    â€œI don’t.” Ava snatched the bracelet andtucked it and the box out of sight.
    â€œIs it a sister gift?” Kylie asked. “How do I get in on this twin-giving thing?”
    â€œIt’s not from me,” Alex admitted, and felt Ava kick her lightly under the table. She bumped her sister’s shoulder with a laugh. “Maybe another time, Ave.”
    â€œAl—” Ava started.
    Alex leaned toward Kylie. “It’s from Ava’s admirer.”
    â€œAdmirer?” Kylie wiggled her eyebrows. “Why don’t I know this? Who?”
    â€œOwen Rooney!” Alex whispered.
    The moment she’d said his name, she sensed she’d done something wrong. Ava stiffened beside her, while Kylie’s face crumpled.
    â€œHow—how could you do this to me?” Kylie sputtered at Ava.
    â€œIt’s not what it looks like. I didn’t do anything. I promise,” Ava said.
    â€œThen why is he giving you jewelry?” Kylie’s eyes clouded with betrayal. “I told you how I felt about him. I trusted you.”
    Uh-oh, Alex thought. Does Kylie like Owen? Why hadn’t Ava told her? She never would have opened her big mouth.
    â€œI’m not interested in Owen. You have to believe me,” Ava pleaded.
    â€œThen why did he give you that bracelet?” Kylie asked.
    â€œI don’t know,” Ava said.
    â€œDid you ever talk to him about me?” Kylie asked.
    Alex watched Ava’s face fall. “Not yet. It’s been really strange at practice. But I am going to—”
    â€œI can see how strange it’s been.” Kylie stood as the bell rang and walked to the door without saying good-bye.
    â€œI feel horrible,” Ava wailed. “I didn’t want to hurt her. This is all my fault. I’m messing everything up.”
    â€œNo, you’re not. Owen is,” Alex insisted, squeezing her sister’s hand. “But I know how to fix it. By tomorrow, he’ll be over you.”
    â€œWhat about Kylie?”
    â€œLet her cool down, then talk to her. She’ll come around,” Alex assured her. “Just like you told me Lindsey and Emily