She smiled, but he wouldn’t meet her eye. Was she not complimentary enough?
“Really,” she said, “we’re going to be a great team on the paper this year.”
Squawk!
Cat flinched.
The door opened, and in came Natalie Goldberg in leggings and a gauzy sweater, like she’d just stepped out of a yoga class.
“Hey, Ravi,” she said. “Kate.”
“It’s Cat.”
“Oh, of course. You’re Angeline’s sister?”
Cat nodded, her finger automatically striking the side of her thigh.
“Would you mind . . . could you let her know if she has any more ‘bigger is better’ samples, I’m up for the challenge. And she’s locked up my vote.”
Cat gave a polite tilt of her head. She turned to thank Ravi, but his eyes were squarely focused on Natalie.
Their business was done. Cat had gotten exactly what she’d come for. The paper—her paper—was no longer on life support. She tucked the check in her pocket, her mind focused on planning the spread announcing the primary winners.
Kate.
Really?
Well, most of her mind.
Cat headed for the door, but a yelp from Natalie made her turn back around. Natalie’s phone was vibrating, and Ravi’s was dinging, and the same look of confusion wrinkled their faces.
“Oh my God,” Natalie squealed. “That’s my right leg! But those so aren’t my lips. Are you seeing this?”
“Uh, yeah, but what exactly am I seeing?” Ravi glanced at Cat. “Any ideas?”
“Me?” She checked her phone. “I didn’t get any emails.”
“Not an email,” Natalie said. “One of our friends sent a link. Look!” She held up her phone, but before Cat could see, it erupted with another vibration, and Natalie snatched it back. “No! It’s being retweeted! Kate, quick, check if it’s on Insta yet.”
Cat’s shoulders rounded. “I’m not on Instagram. Or Twitter.”
“What kind of photo is this anyway?” Ravi held out his screen, and this time, Cat wrapped her hand around it. An image of a girl with her legs, arms, hands, feet, eyes, lips, breasts, a dozen female body parts, all labeled.
She pointed to the caption. “The Acedia Perfect Tens. What does that mean?”
Natalie’s jaw clenched. “It means our classmates have finally done it. Gone too far. Way, way too far.”
Jon Bernwick @JonnybBad73 • 15m
What am I hearing about Frankengirls @AcediaCHSMA?
Reply 6 Retweet 2 Like 12
Show this thread
Tad Marcus @TadIsRad • 11m
Replying to @JonnybBad73
THIS. @AcediaCHSMA
<<Photo removed due to sensitive content>>
BakedBaker24/7 @Josh Baker • 9m
Replying to @JonnybBad73
Total BS, man! Show me my ladies! @AcediaCHSMA
Dipti P. @drp98 • 6m
Replying to @JonnybBad73
These are actual WOMEN, you pervs! @AcediaCHSMA
BrosAndBros @brosandbros • 5m
Replying to @JonnybBad73
**Perfect** women. See? @AcediaCHSMA
Acedia Charter School @AcediaCHSMA • 4m
Replying to @JonnybBad73
Please refrain from tagging the school, thank you.
Nat @NatGberg • 2m
Replying to @JonnybBad73
Why is there nothing about this in The Red and Blue?
Cat: Did you see—
Grady: Replying now . . .
Cat: No, don’t! That’s not professional.
Grady: But we look scooped.
Cat: Those are people on Twitter. An actual news outlet has to be reporting it for us to be scooped.
Cat: And I’m writing the article now. We’ll have to use the website. Have it to you to post in an hour.
Grady: I can interview—
Cat: On it. Just waiting for Schwartz quote. Can you get visuals?
Grady: Social media blocking most. But I can try, Chief.
Cat: If you do, ask Ravi to mask faces.
Grady: But that’s—
Cat: Professional. We’re not Playboy.
10
When Angeline Stands Up and Out
22 DAYS TO THE ELECTION
1 DAY TO THE PRIMARY
Crackle . . . static . . . muffled voices . . . throat clearing . . . tap, tap, tap . . .
“Attention Acedia students. This is Principal Schwartz. By now you are all aware that our school has experienced an unfortunate incident. We appreciate your understanding and discretion as the events of this morning remain under active investigation. Acedia Charter School maintains a strict sexual harassment policy.”
“Pro or con?” Maxine shouted beside Angeline from their table in the center of the cafeteria.
“What we have witnessed is not only disturbing but shocking to myself and all of Acedia’s dedicated teachers.”
“You want shocking? Step inside any boys’ bathroom any day of the week,” Maxine bellowed.
Angeline swatted her arm. “You’re making a scene.”
“I’m well aware. Those photos plastered all over the school are real.”
“I know.”
“Taken at my party over the summer.”