Read Online Trauma Queen by Barbara Dee - Free Book Online Page B

serious talk.”
    Suddenly my eyebrows burst into sweat. “Don’t,” I beg.
    â€œWhy not? Are you afraid of her?”
    I shake my head.
    She frowns. “Don’t be such a scaredy cat, Marigold. We’re not even in Aldentown anymore. What do we have to lose?”
    â€œEmma,” I blurt out. “I could lose Emma, okay? She hates big confrontations. Promise you won’t call her mom or e-mail or do anything. Please. ”
    Mom makes a sound like laughing. “You don’t trust me to have a civil conversation?”
    â€œTruthfully?”
    â€œMarigold, give me a little credit, okay? I’m a performer; I can do Rational Adult, you know.”
    Except you won’t.
    Mom stares at me, like she’s reading my mind. “All right, beloved daughter,” she says, her breath making a small storm cloud. “It’s time for a major life lesson. Whenever someone is getting in your face, you need to look ’em right in the eye and speak out. I’m not saying you have to shout at them—”
    â€œMom.” Jada, Ashley, and Megan are getting off the second bus. They wave at me, smiling. Ulp. I have GOT to get out of these clothes.
    â€œBut you do need to let them hear that they can’t just trample all over you. You need to stand up and—”
    â€œMom.” I grab her sleeve. “Can we finish talking about this later? I really have to go now.”
    She looks shocked again. “But this is important, Mari. Wait.”
    â€œCan’t,” I say, and run into the building.

Inside Out
    The first thing I do in the girls’ bathroom is check for pointy black boots.
    But there aren’t any. The place is empty. Even so, I choose the wheelchair stall, which is so big it’s off in its own corner, like a private dressing room. As soon as I lock the door, I pull off the track pants. They still smell like Joy, but they’re a whole lot easier to take off than they were to put on. So if I hurry, I tell myself, I can return them to the nurse before homeroom. Maybe even slip them in her closet before she shows up for the day.
    I stuff the pants into my backpack. I’m just about to zip up my jeans when the bathroom door bangs open.
    Ashley’s voice: “Did you see what she was wearing just now?”
    Megan’s voice: “You mean those hideous pants?”
    Ashley’s voice: “The whole thing, including that top. It’s like something out of Gymboree.”
    Jada’s voice: “Oh, who cares what she’s wearing. She’s a total zero; just ignore her.”
    Oh no. They’re talking about ME. They have to be.
    Megan: “Well, good for you, Jada.”
    Ashley: “Yeah. I don’t know how you can be so big about this. If it was me, I’d be furious.”
    Jada: “What for? It won’t change anything. She did what she did.”
    Which is what? What did I do?
    Megan: “I still can’t believe how nervous she was yesterday. Like we’re supposed to pity her.”
    Jada: “I don’t. I don’t even want to look at her.”
    Ashley: “But don’t you want to tell her off?”
    Jada: “Why? So she can go running to her mommy?”
    Hey, don’t worry about that!
    Ashley: “No. So she can understand how you feel.”
    Jada: “She totally ruined my life, okay? There’s nothing to understand. And honestly, you guys? As far as I’m concerned, Quinn doesn’t even exist.”
    When I hear the name Quinn , I gasp. (I mean, of course I’m relieved that they’re not talking about me , but Quinn? Excuse me? Ruining Jada’s life ?) Then to cover up the gasp, I cough. Then I clear my throat.
    The bathroom suddenly gets quiet. Maybe three seconds later, there’s whispering.
    â€œHelloooo?” Ashley calls loudly.
    I freeze.
    â€œYoo-hoo. We know you’re in there. Hello?”
    I yank off the chicken-pox shirt and