Tethered to Other Stars by Elisa Stone Leahy

Author:Elisa Stone Leahy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-10-03T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty

On Friday Brett brought in a huge box labeled “FRAGILE” and stored it in the office for safekeeping. Relieved as Wendy was that he had finally finished the telescope, she couldn’t look at him without remembering what she’d heard in the hallway. He must just be a really good actor, smiling at her and complimenting her diagrams. Her stomach twisted at the thought of another week of working together, while he was probably telling people she smelled like tacos (which she 100 percent did not!). But the Science Fair was way too important. She had to make a good impression on the planetarium representative, even if that meant working with Brett a little longer.

Wendy hadn’t been able to eat more than a few bites at lunch for days. Her insides just felt too tied up all the time. Today was no different, so she stashed her unfinished lunch in her locker. Ms. Park had told them to bring their project in to review with her today, and the extra time would help. She wanted to explain how the base would fit with it, since Papá had been waiting for the finished telescope to build it. Would Brett remember to get the telescope before class? As she debated going to find him, she heard Brett’s voice and turned toward it.

Tucked in the corner behind a row of lockers, P.J., Brett, and a couple of their friends were laughing at something. In the center of the circle of bodies she saw José, his dark eyes wide. P.J. was looming over him, an open lunch bag clutched in his hand.

“How are we supposed to celebrate your culture if all you bring is Lunchables?” P.J. asked, tossing the bag on the floor.

“There’s always this,” Brett said. He smiled and held up a bottle of Jarritos, the Mexican soda, in his hand. Wendy’s numb brain registered it was pineapple. Her favorite kind.

Brett twisted off the cap and took a sip. “Not bad, Josie,” he said, nodding appreciatively. “You are really contributing to our society. Too bad you didn’t bring enough for all of us.” Brett looked around at his friends and then his eyes fell on Wendy. She took a step back. Brett’s smile widened and he lifted the bottle like he was about to give a toast. He winked at her and took another sip.

Wendy felt something shift, as if the axis of the world had tilted. She was looking at the same Brett with his shaggy, sun-streaked hair and his perfect teeth. But his crooked smile didn’t look cute at all anymore. It was a smile that thought messing with José was funny. It was a smile that said she smelled like tacos, just because she was brown. It was a cruel smile, completely and totally cruel.

“Stop,” she said quietly.

Surprise flashed across Brett’s face. He looked at her, his eyes narrowing. “Stop what?” he said. “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month?”

José’s black eyes darted from her to Brett. She swallowed and hugged her notebook.

“Ms. Park wants us to bring the telescope,” she said quickly, trying to keep her voice steady.

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