Page 6 (2/2)

Violet flinched as much outwardly as she did inwardly, and she fumbled to make the catch but the ball hit her squarely in the chest On the other side of the key, Jacqueline snickered

Violet inhaled deeply, getting ready to throw the ball again But before Violet had the chance to throw it, she watched as a ball--not her ball--flew through the air and smacked Jacqueline in the face

She didn’t mean to, but her hand shot up to cover her ape as Jacqueline cried out in shock and pain, bending over to cover her nose Violet had seen exactly where the ball had come from, and she was sure Jacqueline knew too as the cheerleader looked up, accusation in her dark gaze as she noted that neither Chelsea nor Jules had a ball any longer

Violet’s eyes ide as she turned to Chelsea, who just shrugged "Oops," was her one-word explanation And then she jerked her head toward the exit, where the double doors were propped open to let fresh air in the gyet him outta here before Sorrells tattles on you to Coach"

Jay stood in the opening, leaning against the doorjalanced to where Coach was already escorting Jacqueline to the locker rooms so she could put some ice on her nose--she wouldn’t want one of her star cheerleaders to swell or bruise--so Violet took her opportunity to jog over to the entrance

"What are you doing here?" she asked, looking around to see if anyone atching them "Shouldn’t you be in Che than the covalent bonds I can’t stay long, though, I’ h! How h to know you probably shouldn’t be playing any sport that involves a ball"

Trying to defend her athleticis They both kneas right She’d stopped playing softball in junior high when it had become clear to everyone she was afraid of the ball and had no other redeeuess I should just stick to running, so I can do alone"

"And without a ball"

She punched him in the arm "Yes Without a ball" But she had to bite her lip to stop herself fro

Jay reached out and absently wrapped one of Violet’s curls around his finger as he changed the subject "I o off so I got up late" She pointed to her ears "I had my headphones in"

She didn’t have to explain and hehappen last night? Were you listening to those things your shrink gave you again?" He looked at herup, she irl last night--a body But it’s okay I feel" Her brow furrowed as she tried to put it into words "I don’t knownot terrible, I guess" A nervous laugh bubbled froold standard she aspired to?