Chasing Pacquiao by Rod Pulido

Author:Rod Pulido [Pulido, Rod]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2023-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

ROUND 17

Thursday crawls by. I don’t mind, since—according to Jorge—I’m safe at school. In my last period, I get a text from Brandon, the seventh he’s sent today. Only this time he’s sent me a tanaga.

I know I worry too much

Sorry for all the hubbub

Just promise you’ll be careful

And I’ll give you a back rub

It sends a tingle through my stomach, like the first taste of halo-halo on a hot day, or when a new Marvel trailer premieres. I should reply, but I’m still irked at his coddling me. Plus, this is beyond petty, but he’s totally stealing my shtick. Tanagas are my thing. Like Rosie’s things are art, paranoia, and an irrational hatred of all things Taco Bell. You don’t see me badmouthing their Burrito Supreme. I slide my phone back into my pocket.

The second I enter the hallway after the final bell, Rosie appears at my side. “Let’s go,” she says, pulling on my arm.

“What? Where?”

“Just keep up.” She bolts into the throng of students. I have to race through the crowd just to keep her bobbing ponytail within sight.

Two minutes in, I realize where she’s headed. I pull up even with her as we pass through the double door exit. “Teacher’s parking lot?”

“Last place Rex would try anything.”

I say nothing. Rosie’s only looking out for me, but I’m not thrilled with the idea of running from Rex, despite Jorge’s warning. Still, I can’t fault her logic. The parking lot is already swarming with the first wave of teachers trying to make a quick getaway from the school grounds. Too many faculty witnesses for a proper beatdown.

It’s hard to reconcile the Rex who’s out for my blood with the one last night who saved his brother from a vicious beating. I’d never seen that side of him before. He was nothing short of heroic. I guess even Rex has his moments.

A honk from a car horn pulls me from my thoughts. Parked at the curb with the motor running, Brandon waits in his BMW.

I grimace at Rosie.

She mock gasps. “Hey, lookee who’s here. And with us needing a getaway car. How lucky.”

I love that Bran came, but I keep my expression blank. Can’t make it that easy for him.

He looks at me. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I reply, avoiding eye contact.

Rosie shakes her head. “Aw, you two with your constant flirting. It’s disgusting.”

Before she gets in, I claim the back seat; no way am I sitting next to Bran. We give each other the silent treatment during the drive. He sneaks a glance at me in the rearview mirror, and I quickly look away.

“Coming over tonight?” Rosie asks Bran.

“Yep. I want to go over the splash page again.”

“Yes, yes, more blood, longer entrails.”

I shift in my seat. It’s cool they’re spending time together, but I can’t help feeling like Hawkeye in the Avengers—not needed. Comics have always been our thing—mine and Bran’s; it’s what brought us together, despite our different backgrounds. Now our thing has become their thing.

Bruno Mars’s “When

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