Chapter 10

"In the world, but not of it."

Priscilla had seen the phrase on t-shirts and backpacks. She didn't usually think much of the various mantras beloved by established churches, but that one had stuck with her for how perfectly it showed the failures of the Christian Students Club. They were of the world, so very much. Obsessed with popularity and materialism. The only difference between them and the regular students was that they sometimes loudly pretended they loved Jesus.

Yes, all people were base sinners, Priscilla included. But she read the Gospels even if she didn't attend church. She knew Christ didn't accept half-hearted proclamations from those whose actions only served the world.

That's why Priscilla could do what she planned with a clear conscience.

Rebecca waited at the New Tommy Sherman Memorial Tree—really, the New Tommy Sherman Memorial Sapling. The paltry tree seemed to shiver in the brisk November breeze. The flowering plant around it had done somewhat better, still sporting pink blossoms in the cold weather.

"Hi, Priscilla," Rebecca said, smiling as brightly as ever. "You said you wanted to talk?"

Priscilla lowered her head as if contrite. "Yeah. I thought about what you said to me. About being in fellowship with you guys. And, uh, you're right. I have been holding myself back in pride."

Rebecca clasped her hands together. "Oh, that's wonderful! Priscilla, I'm so glad you're joining us. This is something I've been praying for, for like, a really long time."

In between prayers for new Cashman's deals, Priscilla thought. Rebecca threw her arms around her, and she awkwardly returned the hug for as long as she could stand before backing away.

"I can't wait to tell everyone else!" Rebecca beamed.

"Uh, actually, would it be okay if I told people? I was thinking I could announce it next Monday at lunch. I've been keeping the Lord's light for myself and… it'd mean a lot to me if I could share it."

As loudly and as disruptively as possible. Both because that furthered her plan to fight the cafeteria rule, and because that was the only way to reach anyone.

"Oh gosh, of course!"

And share it she would. The wind intensified, blowing strands of Priscilla's hair into her eyes. She brushed them away.

"I know the weather's kind of gross right now… but can we pray together? Just for a little while?" Rebecca asked.

"Sure."

Rebecca knelt in the soil. She didn't even hesitate to dirty her jeans, which looked expensive. Of course, it's not like it was hard to wash such a garment. Priscilla followed suit, closing her eyes and pressing her palms together.

"Oh Lord, thank you for this day. I'm so happy that Priscilla wants to share her faith…"

Priscilla wondered why she no longer felt enthusiastic about her plan. But maybe it didn't matter what she felt.

The Word mattered more than her enthusiasm, after all.

Victor still couldn't quite believe he'd pulled it off.

Except he hadn't, not quite. He'd set things in motion, but he couldn't rest on his laurels just yet. Still, the day represented a rare victory for him. Enough of one to justify some self-satisfaction. He felt lighter as he walked down the drab Lawndale High halls, a smile coming unbidden to his lips.

The red of her jacket caught his attention as he turned a corner. Jane was there, taking books out of her locker, and with Daria nowhere in sight.

Victor let his eyes linger for a few moments, not even daring to breathe. He would never understand how she didn't have a line of suitors following her. Quinn, Brittany, Jodie… none of them came close. But somehow, no one noticed except for him.

Not quite sure what he was doing, he walked toward her.

"Hey, Jane," he said.

She looked at him over her shoulder, eyebrows arching in surprise. "Yo. Still trying to get petitions?"

"Uh, no. The petitions didn't work," he admitted.

"Yeah, no surprise there. Li doesn't give a damn."

Victor glanced around in case anyone else was in earshot. "Well, Priscilla and I are working on a contingency."

"A what?"

"A second plan to get us out of the cafeteria."

Jane shut her locker, but instead of walking away she turned to face him.

"A second plan? If you ask me, you should just wait. With that many kids in the cafeteria a big fight's bound to break out sooner or later. Daria thinks it'll happen early next week, but I think it can simmer for a little while longer before really blowing up, big-time. See, I'm more optimistic about people: it takes at least ten days before they go stir-crazy and start bludgeoning each other with turkey legs."

That was a good point. "I suppose we'll see. Uh, are you heading out to see Daria?"

"Nah. She's busy with her boyfriend," Jane said.

"Huh, I didn't know she had one."

Jane's mouth tightened a little bit. "He doesn't go to Lawndale," she said, after a pause. "No socializing for me this weekend. But that's okay, I don't mind a quiet weekend. Especially after a week like this."

"Probably a quiet weekend for me, as well," Victor said.

His mouth turned dry. He had to say something.

Why bother? Him getting a few people to work together on some dumb staged fight—one that probably wasn't even necessary since Jane was right, if he just waited the problem would solve itself—didn't give him any worth. At the end of the day, he was skinny kid with a high-pitched voice who was lucky not to get beaten up on a daily basis.

Huh. He'd done a ton of talking that day but hadn't fretted about his voice until just now.

"Then here's to a quiet weekend," Jane said, starting to turn away.

"Maybe it doesn't have to be quiet," he blurted out.

Jane stopped, her eyes meeting his. He almost dropped to his knees.

"How do you mean?" she asked.

No annoyance or suspicion in her voice or face, at least not as far as he could tell.

"What if we did something tomorrow night? Since neither of us has plans."

Silence then, a few moments that lasted eons as he watched and waited, his heart exposed.

"Are you asking me out?"

"Yes," he said. "I am."

She smiled.

Oh God, she smiled!

Not a big my-dream's-come-true sort of smile, but a wry and knowing smile that just looked right on her.

"Sure. So, what are we going to do?" she asked.

He hadn't thought that far ahead.

"Um," he stalled, the high pitch of his voice suddenly a disagreeable annoyance grating on his ears, "we could grab some pizza. Maybe over at that Venezia place?"

"Hmm, Venezia's a little rich for my blood," she said.

It was a little rich for his blood, too. But what choice did he have? "I'll buy," he offered. That'd impress her, right?

"Nah, you know what? Let's just do Pizza King," she said.

That surprised him. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, keep things casual."

"What time? Is 5 okay?"

"Works for me."

"Can we exchange numbers?" he asked.

"Sure. Just promise not to call me a bunch, I don't always like to be disturbed."

"I promise."

Both paused to awkwardly fish pens and blank papers out of their backpacks to write down their digits and hand them to each other.

"See you on Saturday?" he said, still not quite believing it.

"Yup. Adios for now."

Victor waited for Jane to walk out of sight before he leaned against the wall and hyperventilated.