In Between Codes

Chapter 12

The three of them froze mid-giggle. Adjusted in their seats and focused on the class subject.

At lunch, Zoe turned to Tamy, her face lighting up as she picked up the conversation. "What about you? If you could brew any potion, what would it be?"

Before Tamy could answer, the sound of a scoop of mashed potatoes hitting her chair interrupted their conversation. The creamy mess splattered across her clothes. She whipped around to find Moe, spoon in hand, grinning at her like he'd just won a prize.

Her blood boiled instantly. She was about to stand up and confront him when a Samanta's voice came through her earpiece.

"Tamy, you are a woman now. You must stay calm and not escalate." 

Tamy's hand clenched into a fist under the table. It took every ounce of control she had not to snap. She focused on her breathing, counting to five, trying to push back the rush of anger. Her heart raced, but she forced herself to stay still, to hold it together.

Once she felt the simmering rage subside, she turned back to her friends, her voice tight but controlled. "If I had a potion right now... I'd turn Moe into a fat, ugly toad."

Her friends both laughed again, the tension breaking as they imagined Moe, bloated and gross, hopping around a muddy swamp eating the flies that buzzed around him. 

Their laughter made the tension melt away, and soon, they were deep into more absurd scenarios, imagining how Moe's life as a toad would play out. The conversation shifted to manga and other random topics, and for a while, Tamy felt like the weight on her shoulders had lifted. She was grateful for friends like Zoe and Angie—people who could turn a stressful day into something fun with just a few jokes. 

After a few more minutes of lighthearted chatter, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch and Tamy focus went back to cheerleading. Her mind kept rehearsing the routines to have them perfect for the competition. She was so absorbed in her thoughts, that during at the start of gym class, she didn't even notice getting into the male's locker room and taking off her top in front of the boys.

The silence around her felt... off. At first, she didn't register it, but then the realization hit like a punch to the gut. The boys were staring—staring at her, and worse, they could see her bra.

Tamy's heart lurched. She quickly crossed her arms over her chest in an instinctive attempt to cover herself, her face flaming with embarrassment. Her hands scrambled for her bag, desperate to escape the situation and change in the bathroom stalls.

But before she could grab it, Moe Zinek, snatched the bag from her hands.

"Give it back!" she said, her voice trembling.

Moe, bigger and stronger than her, barely acknowledged her plea. With one swift push, he sent her stumbling back. She struggled to regain her balance, but by the time she did, Moe was holding up her leotard like it was some kind of trophy.

"Look, everyone! Tamy's got a pretty leotard!" Moe jeered, his voice laced with mockery.

Tamy's stomach twisted with humiliation as she reached out, trying to grab it from him. But Moe passed it to one of his friends, who started tossing it around like it was some kind of joke. The group of boys snickered as Tamy's face burned with shame and frustration. She cried out, helpless to stop them, each failed attempt to get her leotard back only deepening her sense of helplessness.

The laughter echoed in her ears until a voice broke through the chaos. "What's going on here?" Mr. Lopez entered the locker room, his tone sharp.

Moe, seeing the teacher, quickly threw the leotard in the trash.