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I slowly take offshiny red Ford truck coasts down the driveway toward theroo over The Tennessean

"Sir?"

His head pops up and he smiles "Yes, Savannah?"

"May I have a quick word?"

"Of course" He folds the newspaper, places it next to his empty bowl, and looks up at me expectantly

"I’ She’s nor well and I’ood impression our first week here I hope you won’t take it out of her paycheck since I worked--"

He waves a hand "No big deal I understand you’ve got a new little brother or sister on the way?"

"A sister, yes, sir"

"How are you liking living here? Is your bedroo you nice down in Hillcrest?"

The paint is peeling off my bedroom walls, but Dad said we can wait until we’ve been here awhile to fix that "Everything’s great, sir I mean, except for that Yvonne won’t let me washelse? You probably need to be getting on to school"

I toe the fancy Persian rug withMy dad and Cindy have a whole lot going on Lots of bills and debts and stuff"

"Yes," Mr Goodwin says slowly, narrowing his eyes

"I’…since Cindy will need to take more time off for the baby, can you please keepit from hers? At least until the baby is born?"

"If that’s what you want But I wish you’d save it for yourself instead" Mr Goodwin studies my face "Let your father handle his debts"

"I want to do this" I won’t let row up like I did

"I’ll rin for, Savannah Do you knohat’s wrong with Tennessee Star?"

"I’ve got a possible idea, yes, sir"

It surprises me when Mr Goodwin doesn’t quiz me further Instead, he winks "Can’t wait to see if you’re right at the race this Saturday"

Blinded by Inspirational Posters

The evil Coach Lynn is hty gazillion degrees outside and s feel like Silly Putty by lap three

Vanessa Green sloay down so she can run beside uess your horse-riding skills don’t translate to running"

I swipe sweat froroups"

"I hate gy sweat off her brow

"Really? Isn’t your brother like the best athlete ever? Like Super?" He’s in the NFL

"Don’t let hih since he started dating Gabriella Marsden"

"The super to talk about though It’s like he went to a supermodel factory and said ‘I’ll take that one please The one with the extra-long legs and the big boobs and the hair that falls past her butt’"

We laugh together, and at that moment, Jack and Colton sprint by Jack turns, bows, and says, "Ladies," before streaking off again, his long hair flopping in the wind He’s so hot, h

"You think he’s cute?" Vanessa asks

"Who doesn’t?"

She shrugs "He’s hot, but he’s not h at the irony The irl at school doesn’t want the beautiful boy

"Hey," Vanessa starts "Do you know if Rory Whitfield is dating anybody?"

"I don’t think he is"

"Oh…I wondered if you and hiazes across the track Rory and Jack are now racing each other, trying to be King of Gym Class "He’s cute"

"But you’re like, you, and he’s Rory--he’s my friend, and you could date whoever you want and I don’t want hiet hurt and you’re super popular," I say, flustered as hell

"So?" she says

"Would that super your brother if he weren’t an NFL quarterback?"

Her nose crinkles "Who knows? Who a like that? If you like somebody, you just like them, you know?"

"Do you really like Rory?" I ask

"I’m not sure I ht about getting to know hiuess"

"I’ht about it," I say, and Vanessa flashes rin

"Really? What’d he say?"