Read Online Plastic Polly by Jenny Lundquist - Free Book Online Page B

the mirror. A useful one is my Popular Polly look, a mixture of indifference and boredom. I use it when I think someone has said something mean about me.
    T HE G ROOVE I T U P ANNUAL COIN TOSS TRADITIONALLY happens about two weeks before the actual event. The planning committees for both schools meet and toss a coin to determine which campus will host Groove It Up. It’s considered home court advantage. Last year American River won the toss. The year before that as well. They have a habit of winning the coin toss but losing Groove It Up.
    This year the meeting is in Mr. Fish’s classroom. I arrived five minutes early and helped him line up desks in two rows facing each other. Winston’s entire planning committee decided to come, and we’re sitting onthe side facing the door, waiting for American River’s committee to show up. They’re late, and people are getting antsy.
    While we wait, I’m reading a text from Kelsey. She came home from the hospital this morning and wants me to walk over to her house after the meeting is over. Next to me, Lindsey is filing her nails. On my other side Melinda is hunched over a fashion magazine with Jenna, taking some kind of quiz. Surprisingly, Mr. Fish isn’t wearing his shorts and Wildcats T-shirt. He’s wearing jeans, a white shirt, and a tie. The rest of the committee sits on his other side, chatting.
    â€œWhen are they coming?” Kristy fidgets in her cheer uniform. “I’m going to be late to practi—”
    Kristy breaks off at the sound of several feet stomping up the hallway, like a small marching band is coming our way. Then there’s a loud knock at the door.
    â€œEveryone ready?” Mr. Fish asks. After we nod he says, “Come in!”
    The door opens, and a man who I assume is American River’s teacher adviser strides in wearing a black polo shirt and khaki pants. He holds a clipboard in one hand.
    Several students file in after him. They halt and take their seats, all at the same time, like they’re doing somekind of military exercise. Each of them is also wearing a polo shirt and khakis. They all hold clipboards. And none of them smile.
    â€œGood afternoon,” Mr. Fish says when they’re all seated. “Welcome to Winston Academy. Let’s go around and introduce ourselves.”
    Mr. Fish lets American River go first. The teacher adviser introduces himself as Mr. Pritchard, and then the students introduce themselves. I’m not really paying attention, because I’m texting Kelsey back under my desk. Until I hear a boy say, “I’m Justin Goodwin. I’m the PlanMaster for American River.”
    I freeze in midtext. I know that voice. I just heard it last night. From Justin at the mall. The Justin who didn’t want to tell me how Pretty Percy got his name. The Justin I spilled my guts to about Groove It Up.
    Justin is American River’s PlanMaster? I look up. Justin is sitting directly across from me. He’s staring at me with wide eyes and a pale face. He shakes his head slightly and mouths something at me. I’m sorry, maybe?
    â€œSay ‘Polly,’” Melinda spits, jabbing me in the side with her elbow, way harder than she needs to. “It’s your turn. Stop being such a spaz.”
    â€œUh, Polly Pierce.” Then I give Justin my best PopularPolly look and add, “I’m the PlanMaster for Winston Academy.”
    Mr. Fish launches into a speech about how much he’s looking forward to partnering with American River and how he hopes we can all work together to make it a great event for both our schools and for Maple Oaks as a whole. I’m surprised, because it sounds like he actually cares. I tune out after a while, though, because I’m thinking back to last night. Did I tell Justin anything really important? I feel like the biggest idiot on the face of the planet. Of all the people I could’ve confided in, it had to be American