He understood entirely. Finally, a rumor came along more alluring than the fire—about Christina Pell, a junior at Ridgeline Memorial, whose grandfather owned both the town banks. Christina came back late from Christmas break not because she had a serious case of flu but because of a more disgusting reason involving you-know-what. It grabbed everyone’s attention. Mallory was sorry for Christina, but what an idiot! Still, at least no one talked about her or Merry anymore. But Mallory still didn’t feel like herself, and hard as she tried, she couldn’t act like her old self, either. One day after one of the first outdoor practices, wenchy Trevor Solwyn, who nobody liked except that having a tall forward was a big bonus, made a remark she pretended was supposed to be a whisper, but was actually meant for everyone to hear. Mally was a midfielder whose speed and accuracy made her an asset in any position except the goal, where her small size was a disability.
