“She’s pretty great. Unfortunately, she has to deal with my brother, and he’s just such a rigid thinker, and he—”

“Excuse me?” Nina squeaked to Mr. Garcia. “Um, I can’t really concentrate when they’re having a conversation over there?”

“Sorry!” Marianne cried.

“Let’s just finish this round,” Mr. Garcia said.

“You’re interrupting by pointing out we’re interrupting,” Dan muttered.

“And now you’re interrupting!” Vi squabbled back.

Marianne saw that she was the problem kid.

But also, this was a problem team.

“Let’s take ten, all,” Mr. Garcia announced, clearing his throat and adjusting his tie.

“Great,” Nina grumbled.

“And hey,” Mr. Garcia added on his way out the door, coffee mug in hand, doorknob in the other, “I know it’s different without Ms. Schuler here.”

He meant Addison.

“But we will find our way, hmm?”

From the lowered heads of the other kids, Marianne could tell his little pep talk did not have the desired effect.

Mr. Garcia left.

No one said anything, and Marianne didn’t dare glance up to see the looks they must’ve been sharing with one another.

Her lowered gaze fell on Nina’s folder. On its cover, a beautiful woman struck a dance pose in a lavender leotard.

Allowing herself to lift her eyes, Marianne asked Nina softly, “Who’s that on your folder?”

Nina pointed to herself to ensure Marianne was speaking to her.

Marianne nodded.

“Oh, her? That’s Misty Copeland?” In response to Marianne’s blank look, Nina explained, “The first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre? In New York?”

“Cool!” Marianne smiled at her.

They all fell silent again.

Nina raised a hand even though no teacher was present.

“What is it, Nina?” Vi asked.

“So, like … Could I make a motion for us to emphasize flash-card sessions the next few days? Marianne, maybe you could pick a subject you need some review in and we could all review with you? We have things to review, too,” she said in Dan’s direction.

“Who, me?” he asked, putting a hand to his heart.

“Addison was big on flash cards, and I think that’s what pushed us over the edge at Regionals, honestly?” said Nina.

“It’s pointless,” Vi said, springing up from her chair. “I don’t mean to sound tough, but I’m the team captain and it’s my job.” She turned to Marianne. “And—I’m sorry, Marianne, but you know it’s true—you do not care about school at all. And if you’re bringing that attitude to Quiz Quest? You’ll be…” She searched for a word with her hands and let them fall to her sides as she pronounced, “Deadweight.”

“Whoa!” Dan jumped in. “Not nice!”

“Yeah, that’s not necessary,” Nina agreed.

“Who is the captain? You or me?” Vi said to Dan.

“It’s Addison, actually,” he answered.

“We need to hand out more fliers,” Vi grumbled.

Marianne pictured the kids mocking Vi the day before. Did Vi recall it, too?

“There has to be someone else who wants to join before the registration deadline. Has to,” Vi repeated, as if to convince herself. “And Marianne can totally be a swing, of course! She can be an alternate!”