Click Here (to find out how i survived seventh grade) by Denise Vega Page A

Jilly…the story of my life. Besides, Tyler’s a little dorky. Even if he did like me, I don’t think I could ever like him back…but he’s pretty nice…didn’t like him at 1st cuz of his Big Foot comment but he’s ok…think he’d look good in a regular old T-shirt and jeans…not those pants that are so big they look like 2 people could fit inside them…. And stop with the spikes already…probably has really great hair but u’d never know it under all that gel.
    Things That Make Me Happy Right Now
    • Omigosh! I just realized something. Mark won’t recognize Jilly any more than she would recognize him. I’m saved!
    • I can stop stressing about this. Quick! Where’s my pillow?

chapter 14
    Erin Swift, aka Idiot
    Just when I thought it was safe to go to the bathroom again, Serena showed up. I was standing at the sink, checking out a small pimple on the left side of my nose. I was asking myself the Big Question — To pop or not to pop — when Serena walked in. She stopped and glared at me, crossing her arms over her chest.
    “How long are you going to be?”
    “This is a public bathroom, Serena.”
    “I want some privacy.”
    I raised my eyebrow at her, pimple forgotten. “What for?” Was she afraid to let me hear her pee? Or do the other thing?
    “None of your business, Swiftless.” She glared even harder and tapped her foot. Please. She didn’t own this bathroom. I could stay in here as long as I wanted to. I returned to the mirror, running my fingers through my hair, wishing I had the comb that Jilly had given me.
    “It won’t help,” Serena said.
    I’d learned my lesson in Round One. I ignored her.
    “He likes Jilly. Accept it.”
    My heart did a funny little twist inside my chest, but I forced myself to continue looking in the mirror, to act as if I hadn’t heard or if I had, that I had no idea what she was talking about.
    “I saw him staring at her when she went to practice the other day.” She was close to me now, our arms practically touching. “She didn’t see him but when she does —
wham!
” She slapped the sink for emphasis and I jumped. “It’s all over.”
    She was lying. He didn’t know who Jilly was. He couldn’t under all the makeup and that wig. My legs quivered. I didn’t want my lips to do the same. “Here’s your privacy,” I said, making for the door.
    “Swift! Wait up!”
    I turned to see Mark hurrying toward me, Serena’s words pricking annoyingly at the back of my mind. I waved and then turned to sort through the books in my locker, trying to find the novel we were reading for English.
    “Ready for another basketball blowout?” Mark asked as he came up beside my locker.
    “Ready for the soccer field?” I shot back. “Or I should say, ready for me to kick your butt?” He laughed and I relaxed. Serena. What did she know? So what if he’d seen Jilly again? He hadn’t asked about her at all, and it had been four days since the Halloween party. S.W. was just trying to freak me out. But she wasn’t going to ruin this friendship.
    “It’s winter, Swift, in case you hadn’t noticed,” Mark said. “It should be an indoor sport.”
    “Wimp.” Then I smiled. “Indoor soccer.”
    He laughed. A slight blush crept up his cheeks.
    “What’s with you?” I asked, shoving him playfully.
    “Huh? Nothing. I was just thinking …” His words trailed off. “Don’t hurt yourself,” I said.
    He smirked.
    “Spill it,” I said. “Just get it out.” I felt a little bit flirty, a little bit friendly.
    “Okay,” he said. “But I feel kind of weird.”
    “You look kind of weird but that hasn’t stopped you from talking before.”
    “You’re just full of good ones today, aren’t you, Swift?”
    “Always.” I pulled out my books and closed my locker. “Hey, did I tell you my new great idea?” I didn’t wait for an answer. “On the ‘Meet the Faculty’ page, I’m going to have two photos of each teacher, one in profile, like prisoner mug