The other girls stare at Sabrina as if she sprouted wings, totally shocked that the follower finally proved she has a mind of her own.
"Get a grip, Sabrina. Don't forget, you were a loser and Maggie was in your spot a year ago. Just because you're friends with Brianne and Danielle now doesn't mean you're suddenly hot shit."
She's right. I wasn't nice to Sabrina when I was on top and she was struggling to keep friends that didn't hide in the library during lunch. I think Kendra's words are going to bring Sabrina down a notch, but my cousin doesn't miss a beat.
"Kendra, I used to worship the ground you walked on because you were pretty and popular and had a boyfriend the rest of the girls only dreamed they could get. I wanted to be popular, to be like you. Now I just think you're pathetic."
"You'd better watch yourself, Sabrina, or you might just find yourself a loser again so quick your head will spin." Kendra's eyes are wide and wild, and I think if she had superpowers they'd melt Sabrina with that one stare. But she doesn't have superpowers. Hannah is standing behind Kendra with her thumb and forefinger in an "L" on her forehead, directing it toward Sabrina.
While Sabrina is sticking up for me and being threatened, I'm hiding out like a coward. My palms are sweaty. I realize it's my own fear holding me back. I watch my cousin sticking up for me knowing the end result is not going to be pretty. I feel Mrs. Reynolds' spirit giving me courage.
I push the stall door open wide, the loud creak alerting all three to my presence.
Sabrina's face is as shocked as Kendra's and Hannah's.
Kendra gives a nervous laugh, but recovers quickly. "Is this, like, the designated loser bathroom and I never got the memo?"
"You're just like your cousin," Hannah says to me. "One who'll always follow in the footsteps of girls like me and Kendra."
I hobble next to my cousin. "Hannah, you and Kendra have it all. And yet... you're both empty shells, nothing worthwhile on the inside. I wouldn't follow you even if it meant healing my legs."
"I think the accident damaged your brain." Kendra spits out the words like a dragon would spit fire at its enemy.
Sabrina is watching me in shock. I know I haven't been strong since the accident. I never stick up for myself and I focus on my flaws instead of my assets. Spending time with a strong woman like Mrs. Reynolds must have rubbed off on me. And spending time with Caleb the past few months has made me feel attractive and beautiful. I just ... deep down I can't believe he was lying to me. Admiration shined through the depths of his eyes. His fingers trembled when he traced my lips or touched my face. A guy like Caleb, who hides his emotions, couldn't fake those intense reactions even if he wanted to.
Kendra shakes her head and sneers at me. "If Caleb gave you any attention, he just felt sorry for you."
I'm sure he did ... but what we shared went way beyond that. "I wouldn't sneer if I were you," I say to Kendra. "It doesn't suit your face."
My cousin turns to me. "Caleb? No, it can't be true. Can it?"
I nod.
"The Caleb Becker? Leah Becker's brother, Caleb Becker?"
I c**k my head to the side and nod some more.
Sabrina's mouth drops open and her eyes bug out.
Like a shock wave, I realize Caleb had been right all along. Going to Spain was just a copout, a way to escape people and a way for me to forget the accident for a little while. But the accident happened. There is no way to forget it. And I limp. I have to face the fact I will never be the same as before.
It's okay. I'm okay. Taking a deep breath, I realize something...
I feel stronger and more alive than I did before the accident.
The door to the bathroom opens. Mrs. Gibbons walks into the bathroom. Her eyebrows go up when she witnesses our little confrontation. "Aren't you all supposed to be in class?"
None of us answer. Kendra is staring at me, Hannah keeps looking from Kendra to me and back to Kendra, Sabrina still has her mouth open in shock, and I'm not revealing anything.
"Okay, then. Let's all take a little trip to Mr. Meyer's office so he can get to the bottom of this."
"Fine with me," I say.
"Me, too," Sabrina says, backing me up. I owe a big apology to her for being such a jerk before the accident. Sometimes you have to steer away from the crowd in order to be a better person. It's not always easy, that's for sure. But it's right. And sometimes doing the right thing feels so good. Even if it does end up in a trip to the principal's office.
Kendra's eyes are still spitting fire. "Whatever."
"Yeah, whatever," Hannah says, doing an embarrassing imitation of her best friend. I almost feel sorry for her.
We all follow Mrs. Gibbons to the front office. Sabrina is looking at me, wide-eyed. "No way! Caleb Becker?" she mouths silently.
It's not Kendra's fault she's beautiful and pretty. It's not even Caleb's fault for being attracted to her. It doesn't even matter.
What matters is that I'm not carrying around feelings of hatred and betrayal. It's been too exhausting. Mrs. Reynolds was right.
I don't hate Kendra.
I don't hate Leah.
I don't hate Caleb.
I'm feeling stronger than I have in ... well, I can't even remember when. All I know is that I feel good. No, better than that. I feel strong.
FORTY-ONE
Caleb