Burn Girl by Mandy Mikulencak Page A

…”
    â€œDoesn’t matter.” I sat next to him on the bench and waited for the next trolley that would take me up North Main and away from the discomfort I felt.
    â€œYou okay?” Cody leaned in a bit too close so I slid a few inches down the bench.
    â€œWhy do you ask?”
    â€œI thought I heard you crying when you ran up. And you’re breathing really weird.”
    His super-acute senses unnerved me. I could lie and say no, but I was sure he’d sense that as well.
    â€œNo big deal,” I said. “I was at the bookstore and Brittany decided to pick a fight. I guess the school day wasn’t long enough for all the harassment she had in her.”
    â€œWhat happened? You all right?”
    I wasn’t all right. Adrenaline still sickened my stomach and weakened my legs. I was embarrassed by the fight with Brittany, but more upset that James had kicked me out of the bookstore. I didn’t want to talk to Cody about it—and definitely not at a trolley stop near a busy park.
    â€œSeriously. Tell me,” he said.
    â€œNothing important. You waiting for someone?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œThe smoothies. You have two of them. Unless you’re just extremely thirsty.”
    â€œOh, yeah. James texted that you were in the store so I thought I’d buy an extra and wait here for you. I hear you drink one almost every day for lunch. I figured you must really love them.”
    He handed one over and I took it, even though the gesture confused me. Who told him what I had for lunch?
    â€œHow did you know I’d be taking the trolley?”
    Cody’s cheeks colored. He took a long draw on the smoothie and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
    â€œJames also texted you weren’t with Mo today. So she wouldn’t be giving you a ride.”
    My world wobbled. Cody recording me singing, the fight with Brittany, and now this weird, planned encounter—I couldn’t take much more and my shaking hands proved it.
    â€œI hope I didn’t creep you out. I wasn’t trying to be stalky. I just wanted to talk to you somewhere besides school.”
    â€œI’m just a little overwhelmed,” I said. “Give me a second.”
    We sat in silence for a minute or two, which was awkward, but a better kind of awkward than figuring out what to say to Cody.
    â€œI’m sorry if I’ve upset you,” he said weakly.
    â€œNo, no, it’s okay,” I stuttered. “I’m still shaken up by Brittany. James had to pull her off me. He probably hates me.”
    â€œDon’t worry about my brother. He thinks you’re cool. I just can’t believe Brit got physical.” His knuckles turned white from clenching the edge of the bench.
    I looked up the street, half expecting to see Brittany coming after me to finish what she’d started.
    â€œYou hurt?” he asked.
    â€œJust embarrassed I let her get in so many punches. Although I did get in one good blow to the gut and two to the ribs.”
    â€œWhen I get to school tomorrow, I’ll talk to her. She can’t go around bullying you.”
    â€œNo, please don’t!” I begged. “That’ll make it worse.”
    Cody rubbed his still-bruised lip from the row with Nick. “Fighting’s not what it’s cracked up to be, is it? Maybe we both need karate lessons.”
    His joking helped my breathing return to an acceptable rate. At least one that would allow me to speak if I could find the words.
    â€œYour brother is something else,” I finally said.
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œWell, he’s making all kinds of assumptions. Like you wanted to see me today.”
    â€œHe didn’t assume anything. I told him I wanted to see you.”
    My breathing accelerated again and the adrenaline-fueled nausea returned.
    â€œI mean … you seemed kind of angry the other day in English and then you skipped choral practice. I