Sword Play by Linda Joy Singleton Page B

Superman; with chin lifted high, he moved with skillful confidence. I secretly wondered if his stutter was like Clark Kent’s glasses; a persona to hide his true self.
    Vin, on the other hand, never hid anything. He put it all out there and spoke his mind. After scarfing down the last slice of pizza, he left to order a giant pepperoni. While he was gone, Jennae and Derricks’ light banter turned ugly. They argued over who got to use the car tonight. They called each other words I wouldn’t repeat. Then they glared and stopped talking completely.
    I was trying to think of a way to lighten the mood, when Alphonso tactfully changed the topic. “Hey, Sabine, d—did you hear where Foils is per—performing?”
    “No, I haven’t. Tell me all about it.”
    “At a ren—renaissance fair.” Alphonso said. “We’ll g—go in costumes.”
    I turned to Jennae. “What’s your costume like?”
    “Very cool! Tight pants called breeches and shirts with puffy sleeves and ruffles around the neck.”
    “Fun! And Derrick, are you going in costume, too?”
    He nodded, his mouth pursed as if he wasn’t ready to give up his fight yet.
    But Jennae was warming to the topic. “Vin’s cousin has a costume shop and is renting the costumes at a discount,” she explained. “We’ll act with some faux swords, then switch into our protective gear for performances.”
    “I’m going to do some jousting,” Derrick added.
    “I’d love to see that,” I said.
    “So come watch us,” Vin said as he squeezed in beside me. He reached out to place a plastic yellow order number on the edge of the table. “It’s in two weeks.”
    “Please say you’ll come,” Jennae flashed her dazzling smile at me.
    “Yeah,” her brother added. “You can applaud for us.”
    “I can get a costume for you, too,” Vin bribed. “You’d look great in Renaissance clothes, especially with such long hair. There’s lots of cool stuff to do like watch historical recreations, archery competitions, and lots of great food.”
    “I can’t,” I said quickly. “I’ll be busy with Josh every weekend.”
    “Bring him along.”
    I shook my head firmly. “No.”
    “Why not?” Vin sounded puzzled.
    “It would be too weird. I mean, I’m not in Foils anymore.”
    “So what? You may have quit the group, but we’re all still your friends.”
    “Not everyone,” I pointed out.
    “What do you mean?” Jennae sounded hurt.
    “You know.” I shifted uncomfortably on the beach.
    “Actually we don’t know.” Vin regarded me solemnly. “We felt terrible when people at school were dissing you. Then you were gone and didn’t leave a number or address. Your mother wouldn’t tell us. Brianne said you dropped her, too.”
    “I dropped her ?” I almost fell off the bench.
    “Didn’t you?” Jennae asked.
    “No. She was the one … ” I paused.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.” I shrugged, not wanting to dredge up that awful time. When I’d seen Brianne’s name on the “Kick Sabine Out of School petition,” I hadn’t read any further, afraid to uncover more back stabbers. Then the next day Mom had my suitcases packed and I moved in with Nona. I was through with everything and everyone connected to Arcadia High.
    But now I was finding out Vin, Alphonso, Derrick, and Jennae had never stopped being my friends. Had I been too quick to judge? I had to admit it was good to see them again. Not that it changed anything. I couldn’t risk getting sucked back into my old life. After lunch we’d go our separate ways.
    A thick pepperoni pizza was delivered to our table and we dug in enthusiastically. I kept telling myself I should leave. Then I’d think, this is our last time together so why not hang out a little longer? I loved talking about fencing. It was exhilarating to discuss stuff like the most effective competition blade, favorite helmet styles, and the unfairness of biased referees.
    We were talking about the National Competition when gazes shifted beyond me.