2010 (Cont)

Max's parents were supportive when she told them about being asked to join the Quiz Bowl team. So the next afternoon, after school ended, Max had her first meeting with the others. They sat her down and threw questions at her from all the different categories; history, mathematics, current events... she was able to correctly answer most of them, until they started throwing science questions at her.

"She's lacking," the brown-haired girl with the beanie commented, once they were done. "Like, pretty behind, on biology. More than I'd expect even a freshman to be."

"Yea, but she's on point with math and history," Victoria pointed out. Max let herself smile at the compliment. "And she did good enough on current events. Besides, Steph, nobody else is interested in taking Crystal's spot."

"Yea, true." Steph nodded and turned back to Max. "Can you get caught up on the science stuff? Like, quickly?"

The boy next to her scoffed. "Please. The weirdo probably thinks the planet is only a thousand years old or whatever."

Max's face grew red. She knew otherwise, despite what her parents and the church had tried to teach her. But it seemed like arguing would be counter-productive, given the circumstances.

"Stuff it, Nathan." Steph shot him a glare before she turned back to Max. "Seriously, though, you do need to know the material. Can you get caught up before this weekend?"

"Totally." Max nodded enthusiastically.

"Great." Victoria nodded. "Because this Saturday we're competing against Derby High School, and we need a fourth person on the board."

Max hesitated, but she saw the expectant look on Victoria's face. "I'll get caught up, I promise."

Max took her science book home that night. She usually kept it in her locker, to avoid a repeat of her Junior High incident with her father. But this was important, too; she wanted to do well, and if that meant studying material she wasn't supposed to be believing, than so be it. She waited until after her parents had both gone to bed and stayed up late with a flashlight, going through the book and learning what she could.

Her parents drove her to Derby High School that weekend, and watched her participate. Max was especially nervous as they focused on her, while the judges read the rules and announced the categories. Man, I don't want to have to explain why I know some of this stuff, she worried as she picked at her fingernails.

Luckily, Max was only called for one science question, and it had to do with chemistry, not something her parents or the church had taught her. She answered everything else correctly, as did Steph; Victoria and Nathan both dropped a couple of questions. But it was still enough to win.

Max's smile was about to break her face when she high-fived Victoria.

She was using the bathroom before her parents drove her back, washing her hands, when she heard Steph speak from behind her. "You're crushing pretty hard, you know that?"

Max turned to see the other girl lean against the wall, smirking. "I'm what now?" she replied, confused.

"Crushing, Max." Steph grinned. "On Victoria?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, come on." Steph rolled her eyes. "It's painfully obvious that you have a crush on her."

Max's face reddened quickly. "No I don't!"

"Uh huh." Steph shook her head. "My Gaydar is pinging like crazy, Max. I know we just met, but-"

"I do NOT have a crush on Victoria," Max protested vehemently.

Steph cocked her head. "Is it your parents? That whole religion thing?"

Max didn't answer as she dried her hands and turned to leave. Steph caught her elbow as she was about to walk out. "Look, I didn't mean to make fun of you," she said, her grin now gone. "If you want to talk about it, I-"

"There's nothing to talk about." Max jerked her arm back and left to meet her parents, purposefully avoiding Victoria on her way out.

Max's parents were both very proud of her, but they had a serious conversation when they got home. Max's father, in particular, was concerned about what his daughter might be learning, regarding the other science questions he'd heard asked. And Max hadn't worn a dress to the competition; she worn the Quiz Bowl t-shirt over a long sleeved shirt. Him and her mother were both very concerned, about what she was picking up at her school.

She downplayed everything. She only studied the book because that's what the questions were based off of. She knew what was true in her heart, and was certainly smart enough to recognize the falsehoods taught in public school. And they were required to wear the Quiz Bowl t-shirts while competing; wouldn't it have looked silly, if she'd worn it over her dress?

Her parents were satisfied with her replies. They couldn't imagine their daughter showing any form of disobedience; they both knew they had raised her well. Her answers were accepted, and they dropped the subject.

Max was up late again that night, trying very hard not to think about Victoria. And her conversation with Steph. She did that that a lot more often, the more she hung out with them.

For the rest of the year, she focused on her schoolwork and the Quiz Bowl team. She got all A's on her final report card, except for a B- in chemistry. While she hung out with the others, she got to know Victoria and Steph pretty well, and became friendly with both of them; they were the first two real friends she'd made outside of the church.

Over the summer, she attended her church's summer camp, working as a junior counselor with the other teenagers. She had to revert back to being the extremely religious girl; wearing dresses all the time, praying, daily sermons, everything stereotypical about bible camp.

After a year of high school, and being around teenagers who were far more tolerant and way more fun to be with… she was slowly starting to resent it.

And her church, in general.