Jonathan gave an embarrassed laugh as he backed away from Gloria.
“Brains before beauty any day,” he said to Moses later.
“At last you see the light!” said Moses, ecstatically. “Guys, just look at that girl. She’s beautiful, but she’s got no brains.”
He slammed his friend on the back and they went off together, laughing. Benny took the gap. But as he began to move in on Gloria, she said crossly, “Don’t think you’re my chommie now. I want bigger fish – like Jonathan.” She stormed off, her face in a big, sulky pout.
She was mad, but not put off. In fact, she immediately started to plot and plan another way to catch her ‘big fish’. She paced up and down behind the bike shed where she could have some peace to think, not realising that Benny, fed up and seething, had hurried off to spread nasty rumours and the news of the brush-off about her. They were already flying around by the time she got to the classroom.
When she walked into class the gossiping group of guys and girls, who had been talking and laughing, were suddenly dead quiet. It was like the sudden switching off of an alarm. She realised: they had been talking about her! And laughing about her! Behind her back. How humiliating. And it was all because of Tansey. Who said Jonathan was reserved for her? Just because she had a few brains in her head! She would show them all. She could turn Jonathan’s head just as much as Tansey could. All she had to do was to wait for the right time – and the perfect opportunity.
After school, she slid her arm around Tansey, putting her lips against her ear, as if she was favouring her for a special secret. “Come to my place, and I’ll give you some tips on how to catch the big fish,” she said in a sultry, low voice. Tansey giggled, embarrassed.
“Oh, I don’t need the big fish. I just need my Jonathan.”
“You think he’s already yours?”
“Don’t you think he…?” It sounded like a plea.
“Well, you never know with guys. But, I have a foolproof recipe for you to capture Jonathan’s heart.”
“Really?” laughed Tansey, looking relieved. “You’re such a good friend. And you’re so great with the guys. I could learn so much from you.”
“And I can learn so much from you too.”
“Thanks hey. But really, I don’t know what you can learn from me.”
“I do. You know that essay you’ve been writing? You could read it to me.”
Tansey felt her face going hot. She couldn’t let Gloria see her surprise, not yet.
“Oh, you don’t want to hear that essay. It’s rubbish, really.”
“No it’s not. It’s the ‘best essay you’ve ever written’. Your own words. Remember?”
“That was a stupid thing to say.”
Gloria became business-like: “So, it’s a deal then. Hot tips to score guys. Cool tips to crack good marks. Deal?”
“Deal,” Tansey replied with a sinking heart. She had to do something. Gloria couldn’t know how much she wanted to be ‘digital’ for a change. She would die of embarrassment. Of course the class could gossip…But Gloria wouldn’t believe them, would she?
“Tell you what,” said Gloria. “Why don’t I come to your place? You’ll be more comfortable reading your story out loud in your own space.”
“Cool,” replied Tansey, still thinking wildly about how she could get out of reading her story at all. “You first though.”
“Now who’s keen?” teased Gloria.
*****
The ‘hot tips’ Gloria gave her were like the distant drone of an aeroplane. “Always, always look your best. Spend time on your hair. Your make-up. Choose clothes that flatter you. Make sure the colours are right for your skin. And always let the guy think he’s the boss even when he isn’t. Make sure you listen to his conversation. Even when he’s boring. When he’s talking about rugby, you can pretend you’re listening. Just smile at him, nod your head and ask a couple of questions, even if they’re doff. Guys like that. They like to think they’re cleverer than you. Don’t you think?”
“Yes, well…” Tansey had barely heard a word after the first few sentences so she didn’t know how to answer. Gloria didn’t really notice. She shrugged her shoulders.
“Now it’s your turn,” she said.
***
Tell us what you think: Why doesn’t Tansey want to read her story to Gloria?