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trick on me. It made me angry all over again. So my second thought took me somewhere else.
    I wanted to bury those smirks. I saw only one way. And it wasn’t by whining to Coach Lewis. Even though I desperately wanted to throw off my second shoe, I didn’t. Instead I put the first one back on.
    I stood and smiled at Coach Lewis.
    â€œI’m fine,” I said. My guts felt like they were ripping in half thanks to the pain in my feet. “I’m going to have to work on my finish, I guess. Falling isn’t such great form.”
    Behind him I saw all those smirking expressions turn to disbelief. Disbelief that I had actually put the shoe back on. Disbeliefthat I was standing there like it didn’t hurt at all.
    â€œGood thing you won the race before you fell,” Coach Lewis said.
    â€œYeah,” I said. “Good thing.”
    As much as it hurt to stand on those tacks, it was worth it to watch those guys stare at me in shock.
    â€œCoach,” I said, “do you mind if I sit down and take a breather?”
    I’d take the tacks out when he wasn’t looking. I didn’t want him involved in something that was between Jason and me.
    â€œNo problem,” he said.
    I walked toward a bench beside the track. It hurt more than I can describe, pushing my feet down on the tacks again and again, step by step.
    Call me stubborn. Call me stupid. But when some of the guys started clapping, it was worth every step.

chapter eleven
    Jennifer’s phone call caught us halfway through supper. Unfortunately, Dad got up from the table to answer the phone.
    â€œIt’s for you,” he said, holding the phone out. “Some girl named Jennifer. And after only a few days at school. Wow.”
    He said it loud enough for Jennifer to hear him.
    I swallowed my mouthful of soft-shell taco and groaned. “Thanks, Dad,” I said, grabbing the phone. He missed my sarcasm.
    â€œNo problem,” he said.
    I rolled my eyes and sighed. I put my hand over the mouthpiece—like he should have done.
    â€œBy the way,” I said, “it’s not what you think. It’s not a big deal that she called.”
    And it wasn’t what Jason thought either. Although I wished, in a way, that it were.
    I took my hand off the mouthpiece.
    â€œHello,” I said.
    â€œHello,” Jennifer said. “I’m glad your dad was impressed. Does it usually take you longer than a few days to get a girl to call?”
    â€œVery funny,” I said.
    â€œActually it is.” She laughed.
    I didn’t. I was steamed. More at Dad than at her though.
    â€œAnyway, 2515 Palmetto,” she said.
    â€œWhat?” I said.
    â€œThe address is 2515 Palmetto,” she said. “And his name is Carlos Pelayo.”
    The kid’s name and address. Dad had rattled me so much that it took me a second to figure out what she was talking about.
    â€œThanks,” I said when I’d gathered myself together. “You were fast.”
    â€œLet’s go tonight,” she said.
    â€œWhere?” I said.
    â€œTo visit Carlos Pelayo at home. Where else?”
    â€œYou want to go with me?” I asked, feeling glad she wanted to be my friend.
    â€œI just want to help my dad with the track team,” she answered. “The sooner we go, the better.”
    â€œOh.” Maybe she didn’t want to be friends.
    â€œBesides,” she added, “what are friends for?”
    â€œOh.” Maybe she did want to be friends.
    â€œWell?” she asked. “When should I pick you up? I’ve got my dad’s car.”
    â€œHang on,” I said.
    I put my hand over the receiver again.
    â€œMom, Dad,” I said to them at the supper table, “you mind if I go out for about an hour?”
    â€œWith Jennifer?” Dad asked, grinning.
    â€œIt’s not like that,” I said.
    â€œRight,” he said.
    â€œWhere are you going?” Mom asked.
    â€œTo