TJ Powar Has Something to Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo

Author:Jesmeen Kaur Deo [Kaur Deo, Jesmeen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2022-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

***

The following afternoon in biology, TJ’s phone buzzes.

She glances up to ensure the teacher isn’t in her vicinity, but Mr. Oyedele is in the opposite corner of the room, berating someone for vaping in class. She props up her textbook to hide her phone and checks the notification. It’s a photo from Charlie.

Someone else must’ve taken it for him. He’s striking a pretentious pose, leaning against a Whitewater classroom doorway, one ankle crossed over the other. Navy pinstripe shorts show off his shiny, smooth waxed leg along with his natural, hairy one. He’s gazing off into the distance as if he’s a model.

A text follows. Last night I finally understood what they mean about how good bedsheets feel on smooth legs.

TJ types back, so what I’m hearing is,,,, you want a repeat???

He leaves her on read.

“TJ.”

TJ jumps a little in her seat to find Mr. Oyedele in front of her desk, one eyebrow raised.

“I didn’t realize your textbook was so funny,” he says, and TJ realizes she’s grinning ear to ear. “Although I suppose everything is more comedic when you’re reading upside down. You’re excused from class.”

TJ’s jaw drops, at least until he continues, “No, not for that. Amy’s pulling you out.”

He points to the door, where Amy West, Northridge’s very own student body president, is waving a pale hand at her. TJ gets up hastily. She’s only ever spoken to Amy in passing, but she’s never been so happy to see her.

Amy grins as TJ joins her. “Looks like I showed up just in time. Mr. Oyedele loves confiscating phones.”

“Much appreciated.” TJ smiles back tentatively, relief turning to confusion as she follows her down the hall. She and Amy, while on amicable terms, have never actively sought each other out. “Um . . . What’s this about?”

Amy gestures for her to follow into the admin area, and into a smaller office that’s clearly been vacated for this meeting. TJ stops at the door.

Simran is there, in one of the hard-backed chairs. She looks up, catches sight of TJ, and immediately looks away again.

Amy, oblivious, settles into another chair and tosses her wavy brown hair over her shoulder. “TJ, have a seat.”

TJ sinks into the remaining chair, willing Simran to make eye contact. But apparently something on the floor is extremely interesting to her. TJ’s heart shrivels a little. Is she really still that mad?

Amy says, “So, TJ. Simran already knows this, since she’s on council with me. But I just want to tell you about something we’ve been discussing a lot lately at the school and district level. About bullying.”

Simran starts winding her braid around her wrist.

“You and Simran were victims to a pretty vicious social media storm that brought to light how bad it is out there,” Amy adds. “We developed a really exciting initiative and the administration is on board. A body-positivity campaign in school newspapers around the district. To show that all different kinds of bodies can be beautiful. And we’d like you to be one of the models.

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