Read Online The Time Capsule by Lurlene McDaniel - Free Book Online

love? It’s not supposed to be that way.”
    He searched her face. “Maybe they don’t. Maybe they just lose their way.”
    She told him then about seeing her father in the restaurant. He could say nothing to console her about that. He leaned his forehead in to touch hers. “These are supposed to be the best years of our lives.”
    “You’re joking, right?”
    “Just quoting my grandma, who says she knows these things.”
    She managed a laugh. “I’m glad you came over tonight. I really didn’t want to be alone.”
    “Me too.” He lifted her chin and, with great tenderness, kissed her mouth.
    Alexis threw herself into schoolwork, especially preparation for the upcoming debate. The topic for the tournament,
Resolved: That the federal
government should establish an education policy to
significantly increase academic achievement in secondary schools,
wasn’t overly intriguing to her, but she prepared her affirmative arguments thoroughly. The burden of proof always lay with the affirmative position, and winning the round meant swaying the judges to accept her position and award her team points.
    Cory, a junior, would be responsible for presenting the case and plan. Tessa would offer rebuttal when the opposition presented the negative side of the position. Following cross-examination periods between the speeches, it would fall to Alexis to summarize and cover all affirmative positions and negative rebuttals. This place on the team was usually reserved for the best speaker because it was the most difficult.
    The day of the tournament, Alexis felt pumped up and ready. While Mrs. Wiley signed in the team at the site of the debate, Tessa whispered to Alexis, “You’re top dog, girlfriend.”
    “What do you mean?” Alexis pinned her name tag to her blazer. Mrs. Wiley insisted that the team wear navy blazers and white oxford shirts when they competed.
    “Everybody’s looking at you.”
    Alexis glanced around, and sure enough, teams from other schools were giving her the once-over. Most turned away when she caught their eyes. “Wonder why. Is something wrong with me?”
    “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” Tessa spelled. “Your reputation has them scared. You’re a legend.”
    “And you’re hallucinating. They’re just sizing up the competition.”
    “No. . . . It’s you they fear.”
    “Puh-leeze,” Alexis said skeptically. “It’s our whole team.”
    Tessa smiled. “Well, bring ’em on. I feel lucky today.”
    “You nut.” Alexis shook her friend’s shoulder.
    Holding a packet, Mrs. Wiley walked up to her students. “I have our schedule. Shall we proceed to round one?”
    Alexis fell into step behind their teacher and coach, with the other team members behind her. She walked quickly through the lobby area and toward the verbal battle she hoped would take her one step closer to the state finals and admission to Stetson. She hoped her parents would hold it together until after she and Adam were out the door.
    “Chalk up another one.” Sawyer made an imaginary mark in the air above Alexis.
    “Oh now, winning isn’t everything,” Alexis said with a satisfied smile.
    Tessa, wearing a bigger smile, leaned into Alexis. “It’s the
only
thing,” they said in unison, then burst out laughing. They were standing in the hall the next day after school, waiting for Adam so that they could ride home together.
    “How should we celebrate?” Sawyer asked.
    “Ice cream usually works for me,” Alexis said.
    Charmaine and Glory butted into the group. Glory said, “Heard you brought home a trophy.”
    “We survived,” Alexis said. She felt exhilarated. Their team had taken first place and had placed in the top three in the individual events of every category they had entered. Her original oratory had taken first place.
    “The queen rules,” Tessa said with a curtsy toward Alexis.
    “Cut it out.”
    Adam walked up with Kelly. “Do I have to bow to you too?”
    She checked him over. He was grinning, but he looked pale