Margot Mertz for the Win by Carrie McCrossen & Ian McWethy

Author:Carrie McCrossen & Ian McWethy [McCrossen, Carrie & McWethy, Ian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2022-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

• • •

As I was heading home, Avery texted to see if I wanted dinner, suggesting Noodle Town, despite its being “only okay.” I said fine, though I would describe it as even less than okay.

MARGOT: I’m starting to think you actually *like* Noodle Town.

AVERY: I like it because we went there.

AVERY: Before.

AVERY: Remember? Last year? When you were using me?

MARGOT: Yes. Yes.

When I got to NT,[*] sure enough, Avery was seated at the same table where we’d eaten six months ago. The first booth on the left. I looked at him sitting there. Handsome, impeccably dressed, eyes studying the menu, probably deciding between two equally awful noodle choices. I had to pinch myself. I had to assure myself it was real. He likes you, Margot. And you like him. More than like even. L*ve. God, you could tell he was tall even when he was seated.

The Noodle Town vestibule was crowded with people waiting for tables. I told the hostess I could see my party, and I was walking through the foyer to meet him when I almost bumped into Abby Durbin.

“Abby!” I said. “Hey!”

Abby did that thing where instead of making eye contact, you look over the person’s shoulder to see who they’re with. “Margot . . . hey . . .” She seemed a bit lost.

“I—” I began.

“Are—” she began.

“No, you go,” I said.

“Are you here with Mel?” she asked, again looking around.

“Oh, no. I’m meeting Avery,” I told her. She seemed surprised.

“Avery? Oh.” She spun around to look at the dining room and spotted Avery in his booth, still glued to his menu.

“Is he here with his family or . . . ?”

“No. Just me,” I said, wondering why she was so surprised by my being there with Avery. We’re not that weird as a couple. I decided to make nice. “Hey, listen! Melanie and I are staying after school on Monday to work on her speech. It’s not, like, ready or anything. But she said it would be helpful to practice in front of people. You should come!”

God, I wished my parents could see me. Having social engagements, inviting other people to social engagements. I was so goddamned normal.

But Abby didn’t look interested. “Oh. Yeah, Mel told me about that. Maybe . . . I’m kind of busy though, so . . .”

I nodded okay. But I couldn’t help but notice that Abby seemed weird. She kept looking over her shoulder and fidgeting with her Apple Watch. “Well, I just thought I’d let you know. I know you guys are good friends—”

“BEST friends,” Abby snapped. “Mel and I are best friends, and I don’t really need you to explain our friendship to me. So . . .”

“Whoa. I’m sorry?” I felt bad that I pissed her off. But also, why the hell was she snapping at me? What had I ever done to her? Was she jealous that I was friends with Melanie now?

Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms. “You

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