—SUN TZU, The Art of War Coach Halstead’s words weigh heavy in my brain for the rest of the afternoon. If it weren’t for the breakup with Jason, I’d be playing competitive soccer this summer. Sure, just a recreational league, but better practice than one-on-one with Bianca. Maybe if we get back together, Jason will let me sub in for the remaining games. Keeping the Alex pictures under wraps is killing me, but I know Leo is right. Sooner or later, an opportunity will present itself. When it does, I’ll seize it and fall like a thunderbolt. In the meantime, I’m going on another fake date with Micah, to Beat, Hazelton’s only teen dance club. I peek my head into the study. My mom is tapping away on her laptop. Today, she’s got her hair done up into two reddish-brown braids that are graying at the roots. “Going out, Mom,” I say. She looks up from the screen. Her eyes trace the hemline of my T-shirt dress.
