The Humiliations of Pipi McGee by Beth Vrabel

Author:Beth Vrabel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Running Press
Published: 2019-09-16T16:00:00+00:00

Kara’s breath came out in huffs through her nose, and, furious, she held herself still. Even so, her voice lilted, like mid-laugh, as she said (way too loudly for how close we were standing), “Is it true what I heard? That you and Ricky were hanging out at P. Art Tee’s this weekend? For a birthday party?” She chuckled, but it sounded like gargling glass.

“So what?” I said. I had wanted it to come out angry, but it ended up being mumbly.

“So what?” she repeated, again in too high a voice. I glanced around. Just like I had thought, dozens of people were no longer chewing or talking but were watching our table. “Seriously? Are you, like, five or something?”

A couple people laughed, and Kara dropped her arms. Her mean smile seemed more genuine now. In a sing-song voice she added, “Did you jump in the ball pit, Pipi? Did you play with all the other kindergarteners?”

“Lay off, Kara,” Ricky said. I looked over my shoulder at him. Just like Kara, his voice—casual and bored—didn’t match his demeanor, which was still and angry. His eyes were narrowed and his hand curled into a fist next to his lunch bag.

And me? For just a second, I felt pathetic. Like such a pathetic baby. Who did go to P. Art Tee’s anymore? But then I remembered Piper, how we had turned her party around. And we did have fun.

Kara watched me, her upper lip twitching and eyebrows raised, like she was waiting for me to bolt or cry or crumble.

Instead, I straightened my shoulders. I smiled over my shoulder at Ricky and then back at Kara. “Yeah, actually. It was awesome.”

She blinked a few times.

To Ricky, I continued, “I had no idea I was a Skee-Ball wizard.”

Ricky’s shoulders rolled back. “Whatever. I let you win.”

“Sure, you did.” I laughed. “Just like I let you win at Pac-Man.”

Ricky grinned. “You’ll see. Next time, you’re going down.”

Kara’s mouth hung open a little. “Next time? You’re both so boring.”

“Oh, Kara, don’t be sad,” I said. “I’m sure whatever you did over the weekend was super cool. What was it? Oh, yeah. Figuring out the laundry machine.” I laughed, then wiggled my fingers at her. “Now go on, run back to your table before you get The Touch.”

I turned my back to her. Tasha shot Kara a cold smile. “Go on, now,” she said waving her away with the back of her hand.

“Whatever,” Kara snapped, then strode out of the cafeteria. I watched her retreat, my face stretching into a smile that felt just as icy as Tasha’s.

When I turned back Tasha was gathering up her lunch.

“Where are you going?” I asked. “I barely got to talk with you.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be fine with Ricky,” she said, still not looking at me. She turned and walked out of the cafeteria.

“Tasha!” I said. I shrugged at Ricky, then followed Tasha. I grabbed her arm as she headed down the hall in long strides. “Please stop! Let me talk to you.

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