Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs Page B

his papers.
    “Um, no,” I mumble.

    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: Balance of Power
    Remember who can tell Coach Lenny about zapped shoe
    laces.
    P

    I send the message and Griffin’s annoying pop-ups disappear. Very satisfied, I am about to close out of e-mail when the instant messenger opens.

    TrojanTiger: Phoebe? you there?
     
    Who is that? Maybe it’s Griffin trying to get at me another way— that guy spends way too much time devising ways to torment me. And all I’ve done is dare to go to his school. Can’t he tell I don’t want to be here any more than he wants me here?
    Besides, isn’t a Trojan-something a really bad virus? Maybe he’s trying to trash my computer. I almost think about letting him, because he’d really be destroying Damian’s computer and that would get him in a lot of trouble.
    But I decide it’s not worth it. I need to get back to my reading. My cursor is over the close button when another message comes through.

    TrojanTiger: it’s me Troy.
    LostPhoebe: Troy! I thought you were someone else.
    TrojanTiger: disappointed?
    LostPhoebe: no!!!
    LostPhoebe: relieved
    TrojanTiger: how were tryouts?
    LostPhoebe: made the team
    TrojanTiger: knew you would
    LostPhoebe: that makes one of us
    TrojanTiger: ha ha

    The cursor blinks at me. I don’t know what else to say. I mean, Troy is being super nice to me, but why? And do I want a guy to be super nice to me? Sure, he’s cute and sweet and everything I should want in a guy, but do I? When do girls ever like the guy they should?
    Besides, it doesn’t look like he knows what else to say, either. Blink, blink, blink.

    TrojanTiger: still there?
    LostPhoebe: yeah
    LostPhoebe: you?
    TrojanTiger: yeah
    LostPhoebe: okay
    Blink, blink, blink.
    TrojanTiger: well TrojanTiger: just wanted to check in
    LostPhoebe: thanks
    TrojanTiger: better go finish my homework
    LostPhoebe: me too
    LostPhoebe: more reading for lit
    TrojanTiger: finish!
    TrojanTiger: tyrant quizzes

    I glance at Damian. He’s focused on his stack of papers and doesn’t notice me watching. I’ll give him one point on the plus side for cluing me in about the quiz.

    LostPhoebe: heard about that
    LostPhoebe: almost done
    TrojanTiger: okay see you tomorrow?
    LostPhoebe: of course!
    TrojanTiger: save me a seat at lunch
    TrojanTiger: unless you sit with Ares now
    LostPhoebe: as if!
    LostPhoebe: they wouldn’t have me even if I wanted to
    LostPhoebe: and I so don’t want to!
    TrojanTiger: good
    LostPhoebe: night
    TrojanTiger: night

    The message window closed.
    I sigh. Animal Farm is calling.

    Sliding the keyboard tray back under the desk, I stand and head for the door.
    Damian stops me before I get there. “Since you rely so heavily on electronic communications to keep in touch with your friends,” he says. “Your mother and I have decided you need a laptop computer.”
    I spin back to face him. “Really?”
    “And an Internet connection in your room.” He hasn’t looked up from his papers, but I can see him smiling just a little at my enthusiastic reaction.
    “That’s great!”
    “Hesper will pick up the computer when she travels to Serifos on Friday. The connection will be installed tomorrow.”
    Friday? That’s only two days away. Two days until complete freedom of Internet access in the privacy of my room.
    “Wow, Damian, that’s—” Amazing? Wonderful? Terrific? Nothing seems to say exactly what I mean, so I just say, “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    Turning, I start to bounce out of the room.
    “Just don’t spend all your time conversing with Mr. Travatas. Your studies come first.”
    Man, I can’t keep any secrets.
    “Hey, Damian?” I ask over my shoulder. “Can you read emotions through walls?”
    “No,” he says with laughter in his voice.
    “Good.” I move through the doorway, to the other side of the wall. “Because I’d probably get in trouble for what I’m feeling right now.”
    To my total