Page 15 of Broken Track
“Nope.” I grin. “Just figured I’d give you the day off.”
Mia hums. “Idolike the idea of Xavier causing a scene.”
Izzy exhales hard, as if deciding whether to let this roll off her back or set things on fire. Finally, she shakes her head. “Not worth it. I’ll win and shut them up the fun way.”
Mia grins. “By stealing their crowns? Love that journey for you.”
Before I can respond, the morning announcements come on. The moment Mr. Hart starts talking about Homecoming voting,something shifts. Lisa’s eyes cut toward Izzy, and that’s when I know. Something else is coming.
By lunch, the rumors had cooled down, but I should’ve known Tara and Lisa weren’t done.
It starts when Mia lets out an ear-piercing shriek in the cafeteria. “Are you kidding me?!”
I barely set my tray down when she shoves her phone in my face. It’s a poll from The Senior Tea, an anonymous gossip account that’s been stirring shit all year. The poll?
Who actually deserves to be Homecoming Queen?
Tara (48%)
Lisa (36%)
Izzy (16%)
Sixteen percent.
“Okay, this is rigged,” Nolan grumbles, leaning over to get a better look.
“Damn right it is.” Mia shakes her head. “This is the fakest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Izzy, to her credit, looks completely unfazed. She shoves a fry into her mouth, chews, then swallows before speaking. “It’s not that deep, guys.”
Mia gapes. “Not that…” Mia huffs out a breath. “Izzy, they’restealing votesfrom you.”
“They can steal all the votes they want,” Izzy says, her voice calm. “I don’t need an online poll to tell me I’m better than they are.”
I smirk. “Hell yeah, you don’t.”
Mia huffs. “Fine. But if you suddenlylosethe actual election because of some sketchy digital ballot, I’m rioting.”
Izzy steals one of my fries, effectively ending the conversation. But something in her expression tells me it isn’t over.
I’m still staring at the poll when Owen slides into the seat across from me. His eyes flick to Mia’s phone, scanning the poll results, then he lets out a low whistle. “Damn. Sixteen percent?” He shakes his head, real slow, like he actually feels bad. “That’s rough.”
Mia glares. “Wow, thanks for the insight, Sherlock.”
Owen holds up his hands. “I’m just saying, that’s a big drop from where she should be.” He glances at Izzy, and there’s something in the way he watches her, measuring her reaction, that sets me on edge. “You think someone’s messing with the votes?”
