Wednesday, November 9, 2022

The episode ends shortly after I make my promise to Fiona, and once the credits roll, she stands up quickly. I can’t deny the awkward tension in the air after her confession. I know she doesn’t trust me, and I’m sure that she doesn’t even understand why she confided in me. But I know why. We used to be best friends. It’s a habit for us to tell each other everything. I guess my “best friend powers” haven’t worn off yet.

 I walk her to the door, and she gives me a quick hug.

 “I’ll see you at school?” I ask.

 “Yes, see you at school,” she agrees. Her gray sweater disappears, and I shut the door.

 It’s quiet once again, and my thoughts rush to fill the silence for me, though unwelcome. Now that she told me her secret, she’ll have to be nice to me. I shove that one away, telling myself that I won’t blackmail her. But is it blackmailing? That could’ve been my spot on varsity, and she stole it. Not even rightfully. By buying her way in. My fists clench, but I will them to relax. She’s my friend. And even if what she did was wrong, I’m not going to sell her out.

***

The next two weeks zip by, and I can’t stop thinking about Fiona’s secret. Resentment builds each time I’m reminded of it. We have many awkward interactions in the locker room, where JV and varsity players both change in the same space. Nods and simple “hello’s” are the extent of our conversations there, but Fiona initiates far more than before. I used to make all the effort. But now that she has something to lose, I’m suddenly her friend, I realize, a small spark of anger igniting in my stomach.

 “Hey Fiona, nice work out there today!” Coach Monica yells to Fiona as the other JV girls and I walk back to the locker room. The varsity girls join us, panting a little harder and smelling a little worse.

 Fiona slides in next to me, moving past a few players to get to me. I give her a knowing look before slipping away to go walk with the people from my team, my real friends. I feel a hand on my shoulder, pulling me back, and when I turn to look, it’s Fiona. Power surges through me, finally she’s the one who needs me. 

Keep reading tomorrow to find out what happens in The Power Trip.