“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU DIDN’T TELL US ABOUT THIS, KIT!”
Mags hisses. Her arms are crossed so tightly across her body it looks like she’s going to tie herself into a knot.
The room’s nearly empty, but a few people have stayed to listen to what we’re talking about.
Jett shoots me a sympathetic look as the crowd carries him out the opposite door. He points to his backpack, as if he’s saying “I’ve got to change.” I wave to him. He’ll find me later. And besides, he already knew my terrible secret. And he told me to tell them, so it’s not like he could say anything other than “Told you so” or “Sucks to be you.” Not that he would say such things, but—
“It’s not a big deal,” Layla starts to say, coming to my defense and interrupting my spiral. I smile at her, but her eyes dart away from mine. They’re narrowed and her jaw twitches slightly. She might be defending me out of habit, but she’s mad too.
“It is a big deal,” snaps Penny. “Not just the lying, but also the fact that we’re going to get fired if we do this. You all are off to college, but I need this job!”
“Me too,” says Mags. “And not all of us are off to college. My plan was to work here through the next year while I look for acting jobs in the city.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I was going to figure out a way to stage the tournament without us getting in trouble. I didn’t mean to lie. I just didn’t want us to stop training.”
“It’s super shitty you didn’t tell us the truth,” says Alex. Their voice has a hard, annoyed edge. “I mean, we would’ve understood. Or tried to help. Do you know how many other activities I’ve said no to in the last two weeks in order to make this happen? I’ve missed so many derby practices, they benched me for the next three games. I know you said we’re in this together, but this just feels like you wanted to do this all on your own.”
“Yeah,” says Lizzy bitterly. “It’s the Kit Sweetly show. And the Kit Sweetly plan. And Kit Sweetly on the news.”
“That’s not fair!” I burst out. “I asked you all to join me. I want you to fight with me! This is about all of us.”
“Sure it is,” says Penny. “That’s why everything’s all about ‘the Girl Knight’ and they only showed your clip on the news.”
“I can’t help what they showed!” I shout. “And I’m trying to figure out how we can all fight.”
Alex runs a hand through their hair. “We just don’t like that you lied to us.”
“And we’re allowed to be a bit mad,” says Layla. “Even though we love you, we can be mad.”
I let out a frustrated breath. “I just didn’t know what to do, okay? I got the email, but then the online campaign picked up steam. And we were having so much fun training. And I thought I’d figure out some way to make it work.”
“But you didn’t!” Mags snaps.
“I didn’t. But we can still do something! Maybe we can ask Len again? Or I can call Bettina back and see if we can all be on the news?”
“I’m out, Kit,” says Penny. “You know I adore you, but I’m not going to do this if there’s no point.”
“I’m out too,” Mags adds. “Maybe try not lying to your friends next time before roping them into your schemes.”
“Sorry, Kit,” says Lizzy. “If they’re all not doing it, I can’t. I need this job too. At least through the summer.”
That leaves Alex and Layla.
I look at both of them. “Please?” It comes out way smaller and squeakier than I intend.
Alex shakes their head and walks out. Their lips are pressed into a thin line, and I can tell they’re keeping back all sorts of things they want to say to me.
“Layla? Are you in at least? The two of us can ride out together.”
“Call me later,” says Layla, shaking her head. “I need some time to think. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me. At the very least you tell your best friend about things like this. I gotta go, I’m back on admissions tonight.”
She leaves without a goodbye and I slump to the ground. Hot tears rise behind my eyes. For a minute, I think about texting Jett to tell him what happened. But he’ll hear soon enough, I’m sure.
I drag myself to my feet and trudge away from the roar of the crowd and the anger of my friends, slouching toward what is certain to be a terrible night in the stables.