I don’t catch up with her after class, because if that first day was any indication, she’ll be running right into cheerleaders who think I’m an abomination unto the Lord. But Amber proves to be a hard girl to track down privately. Every time I spot her in the hallways, she’s with another cheerleader or Miguel Santiago, the one guy on the team who doesn’t treat me like shit. (Not that he talks to me; he just doesn’t glare at me or mutter about me like I personally killed Robbie Oakes.) I can’t decide whether it’s better or worse if Santiago’s her boyfriend. He seems well-respected enough by the other guys, but he also never stirs the pot—something I’m guessing has to do with being one of the few players of color on a team whose assistant coach drives a truck with a huge-ass Stars and Bars decal on the back. He’s probably not the guy to go to for making any waves.

Plus, for all I know, Cheer Girl is already why he’s being as nice to me as he is. Maybe this is what he’s like maxed out on Not Being a Dick.

If that’s the case, I’m fucked.

But I can’t try nothing, so I keep on keeping an eye out until I finally see her alone in the parking lot at the end of the day, standing at her car and tapping her foot as if she’s impatiently waiting for someone. I’ve probably got a minute, and despite thinking about this all day, I still haven’t come up with any script. Still, it’s my one window, and I take it.

“Hey! Amber!”

She looks up, huge sunglasses obscuring most of her face, and I’m sort of glad for them. “You remembered my name this time. What’s up, Jack?”

The little butterfly flitting around at the fact that she remembers my name needs to quit it right the fuck now. Of course she remembers my name; I’m the fucking quarterback. It’s her job to know, every bit as much as leading our atrocious offense is mine.

Also, I’m about to have to swallow a whole lot of pride.

“Listen, I’m really sorry I was such an asshole the other day. I’m still getting used to being an outcast here. You were the one person who was actually nice to me, and—”

“And now you want something.”

Well. Girl cuts right to the point. Guess the least I can do is the same. “I do. Hoping you’ve got a little more kindness in you. I’m prepared to do whatever in order to find it.”