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care about waiting so much,” Albert said in a flat tone. “All I care about is not having any more treatments.”
    Molly didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t ever asked Albert what the treatments were like. He went down to Vancouver and then, after a few days, he returned, looking sick and tired.
    They stood quietly for a few minutes and watched the boys drill the ball at Murphy.
    â€œI have to win the game I’m playing,” Albert said.
    A lump formed in Molly’s stomach. Albert had more pressure on him than she wanted to think about.
    â€œI think you should sing to win as well, Moll,” he said. “’Cause if you can, you should.”
    â€œI hear you,” she said. “Thanks.”
    After a few minutes, Albert said, “Whatever you did to your hair, it looks cool.”

Chapter Twelve
    â€œHey, Molly.” Nell ran to meet her as she entered the schoolyard the next day. “Your hair. It’s totally fantastic. I can’t believe it’s you. You look so…so…”
    â€œSo…so what?” Molly asked.
    â€œSo…fantastically cool,” Nell squealed.
    Molly laughed. “Settle down.”
    Nell reached out and stroked Molly’s hair. “You look older. You look hot. Paige is going to be soooo jealous.”
    â€œPaige? Jealous? Of what?” Molly asked.
    â€œYou, of course.”
    â€œMe? Why?” Molly asked.
    â€œYour hair, for one thing. Oh my gawd, no one will believe it’s you,” Nell said. “And your voice. I hear you can really sing.”
    â€œYou are telling me that Paige, Miss Stunningly Beautiful, is going to be jealous of me because I got a haircut? Are you kidding me?”
    â€œYes, that’s what I’m saying,” Nell said.
    Molly said, “Paige thinks I’m a pathetic nobody. Now I’ll be a pathetic nobody who got a haircut. And neither of you guys have even heard me sing, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    â€œPaige doesn’t need to hear you. She’s jealous because the guys say you are great.”
    â€œShe never used to even look at Murphy and his friends until they became soccer heroes,” Molly said.

    Dede and Fi swiveled around and gasped when Molly entered the washroom. Before Molly had time to back out the door, Paige and Nell came in behind her. Molly was trapped.
    â€œHey, have you guys seen Molly?” Paige asked.
    Fi and Dede said, “Huh?”
    â€œDuh. Molly. You know—Molly, the little boy. She’s trying to be a girl for a change. Now that she thinks she’s some kind of jazz singer, she’s got the hots for Murphy,” Paige said.
    The other girls fumbled with their ponytails.
    â€œYeah, we just saw her,” Fi said. “She’s got a fancy hairdo.”
    â€œShe probably thinks it’ll make her win on Saturday,” Paige said. She threw her head back and laughed hysterically.
    â€œShe’s just jealous of you, Paige,” Fi said. She stepped in front of Molly and looked right past her, as if she wasn’t there.
    Molly’s knees felt watery. When she turned to find a way to escape, she couldn’t get her feet to move.
    â€œShe’s going to totally embarrass herself this weekend,” Fi said.
    Paige shot a nasty look at Molly. “I’m terrified.” The girls laughed. “I’m not kidding. I’m terrified she’s going to ruin the whole show. She’ll embarrass us all.”
    Molly headed for the door. “Excuse me.”
    To her surprise, Paige moved aside. As Molly passed, Paige bumped her hard with her elbow. “Don’t think you can beat me, you little creep,” she said.
    Molly dragged her soggy legs into the hall.
    Murphy was waiting there with his notepad and calendar. He had already marked that day’s date with a giant X . “Five more days, Molly,” he said.
    â€œThat’s not long,”