Play Nice (Make the Play Book 3) by Amber Garza Page A

She’s a champion.
    And she makes me believe in the human spirit. In our ability to overcome insurmountable odds.
    But is that the reason for my fixation on Ashley? Can Talia peg me that well?

ASHLEY
     
    By Wednesday, Mom threatens to take me to the doctor if I’m still sick. I actually contemplate it. Then I realize how ridiculous I’m being. I’m not sick. A doctor will see right through me. It’s the reason I’ve avoided Dad whenever he’s been home. So I suck it up and go to school.
    And it goes exactly like I thought it would. Talia and her new posse ignore me while the rest of the student body tosses me curious glances as if I’ve sprouted ten heads. Not that I blame them. I used to rule this place. I still don’t understand how the tides changed so quickly.
    While I lie in bed yesterday I hatched all these plans for getting back on top. I envisioned myself storming into the school and demanding my popularity back. I did it once. I can do it again. But now that I’m here all of my courage dwindles. It’s not that I don’t think I’ll be successful. When I put my mind to something I always accomplish my goal. But I’m tired. I don’t have it in me to fight anymore. I spent years clawing my way to the top, and I was barely hanging on. The idea of starting over - of planning, deceiving, manipulating, struggling, stepping on people and playing games – none of it sounds appealing at all.
    In fact, at the mere thought my stomach churns.
    However, I don’t know what else to do. I’ve never been someone’s friend simply for the sake of friendship. I wouldn’t even know where to start. I wouldn’t know how to behave.
    Not that it matters. It only takes a few minutes in the school hallway to hear the rumors. Apparently, I’d been spotted sitting with Hayes’ grandpa at the coffee shop. Now everyone thinks I’m having an affair with an elderly man. I would laugh if it weren’t so preposterous. I’m sure it was Talia who started the silly rumor. And I’m certain she doesn’t believe a word of it.
    Then again, the truth never stopped me either. I’ve definitely spread my share of rumors around this school.
    That’s why I don’t bother defending myself or proving the rumor is false. Let them think what they want. In some small way I feel like it’s my penance.
    In the halls between classes, I keep my head down, my gaze fixated on my strappy sandals. Which are super cute, by the way. Way cuter than anyone else’s sandals at this stupid school. My dad may not be around, but he always makes sure I have enough spending money to buy what I want. And Mom loves to go into the city to shop at fancy boutiques. It’s one of the few perks I have of being in my family, and I fully take advantage.
    During classes, I ignore the students and actually pay attention to the teacher. After spending the last several years cheating or having other people do my work, this is a foreign concept. Honestly, I’m realizing that I’m smarter than I thought. Perhaps I will actually get into a college and make something of myself, like my dad wants me to. Mom doesn’t care about stuff like that. She only wants me to go to college to meet a man who can take care of me. I’m not sure if that’s what I want, but I used to think it was my best option. Now I’m wondering if maybe I was wrong.
    At lunch I find myself back in the safety of my car. Sliding down in my seat in hopes that none of the staff members or other students see me out here, I pull out my sandwich and take a quick bite. As I chew, I hear footsteps in the lot. Heart kicking up speed, I duck down. If one of the teachers sees me, they’ll make me go back inside. We’re not supposed to be out here unattended.
    Worse, if it’s a student, I’ll never hear the end of it.
    My window is open a crack, and a familiar panicked voice reaches my ears.
    Hayes?
    “Okay. Calm down. It’s gonna be all right,” he says.
    I don’t hear a response, so I peek out the