Chapter 47

WE GO LOWER

By the end of the next day, the Freakshow has papered the entire school with rally flyers. Eggy did such a great job designing them that we (okay, I) got really excited and may have gone a little overboard.

As of last period, I’d seen three people take copies of the flyer, and only one of them was using it to toss out her gum. Success!

Meanwhile, Brainzilla got busy laying out three alternate scenarios, estimating the likely size of the crowd based on weather, time of day, and whether we experienced resistance from some of the Nations. And once the rally was over, Eggy would deejay a dance party on the front lawn!

I feel like anything could happen, and that feeling lasts all the way through the final bell and out into the parking lot. The Freakshow and I are headed toward Zitsy’s car when I notice Marty Bloom staring at our flyer. He’s with his best friend/sidekick/henchman, Stoors.

“Join hands and share ideas?” Bloom makes a retching noise.

“Rip it down, man,” Stoors says.

So Bloom does. And just as I hear the paper tear away from the lamppost, Bloom looks up at me… and smiles.

The good feeling that has buoyed me all day dries up and crumbles.

“Put that back!” Eggy shrieks, but Bloom has already torn the flyer in half.

“Why don’t you stuck-up, perfect people go sing ‘Kumbaya’ somewhere else?” Bloom sneers. “Stop trying to spread your feel-good PC bullshit in everyone’s face.”

Brainzilla’s face has turned pale, but she stands her ground. Still, her voice is quiet when she says, “It isn’t bullshit to want to do something positive.”