Just Be Cool, Jenna Sakai Read online

  I heard Rin grumble to himself. When I glanced up, he was spinning his pen, too, and glaring miserably at his textbook.

  “What are you studying?” I asked.

  Rin stopped spinning his pen. “Plant biology.”

  “Awesome! I love science!”

  He gave me a look. “Of course you do.”

  I rolled my eyes, grabbed his worksheet, and slid it over. He didn’t stop me. I read the first question out loud. “What is the purpose of a flower?”

  “It’s useless information.” Rin started twirling his pen again, spinning it so fast between his fingers that it was a blur.

  My pen spinning had annoyed Elliot. I think it mostly bugged him because he couldn’t do it. I had joked that there was an Asian gene for pen twirling. That had annoyed him even more.

  “Why are you frowning like that?” Rin interrupted the memory.

  “It’s not useless information. It’s science!”

  “You can keep saying that, but it doesn’t make it more interesting. I’ll never need it anyway.”

  “How can you know that? Do you already have your career path set?” I pushed the worksheet back at him and reached for his science book.

  “Pretty much. And flowers won’t be a part of it.”

  That was weird. And why did he sound so glum about it? I flipped through the textbook. “Here!” I stabbed a finger at the page. “Here’s the answer.” I spun the book back toward him.

  He pushed his glasses up with his finger and glanced at the book. “I know how to read.”

  “I didn’t say you didn’t. I’m just trying to help you.” I didn’t mention how useless he’d been in health class. He probably didn’t remember anyway.

  “You may be a teacher’s pet, but I don’t need your help.” Or maybe he did remember.

  Rin took the worksheet back from me and filled in the answer. I moved my bag and scooted next to him so I could see his paper. As I peered at it, my shoulder touched his arm. It was solid and muscled and warm. I flinched away like I’d had an electric shock.

  “You think this is fun, don’t you?” he asked as he continued writing.

  “What are you talking about?” My voice squeaked. I could still feel the warmth from his arm on my skin.

  He gave me a quick look. “Homework? You think homework is fun.”

  “Oh yeah. Right. Yes,” I babbled. I moved back to the safety of my side of the booth and observed from afar. He wrote quickly and smoothly. Almost the same as when he was drawing.

  Twenty minutes later, he was done, and from what I could see, he’d gotten all of them right, without looking at his textbook. I was speechless.

  “God, that was torture,” Rin said when he finished. He shoved his textbook back into his backpack. “You should learn how to have fun, Sakai. Relax.”

  He’d known all the answers! Maybe he wasn’t as incompetent as I thought. “Learning is fun,” I said. “Okay, then, what do you do for fun? Besides draw.”

  He shrugged. “I play the guitar, but you knew that.”

  My ears flamed and burned a trail across my face. “What?”

  “I saw you at lunch in the doorway to the band room.”

  “Oh. Um, I …” Words wouldn’t come to me. I cursed my brain. Writing was always easier than speaking. “I have to get going.”

  “I’ll pay.”

  “No, you won’t. I can pay for my own food.”

  Rin got up, but I was faster. I had no doubt his family was like my own Japanese family and fought over the check at gatherings with friends and family at restaurants. Not polite motions, but full-on scene-making squabbling, grabbing, and yelling for the check.

  And I’d learned from the best. My mom was the champion. I made it to the register first, smacked down enough for my half of the bill, and left before Rin had a chance to catch up.

  I tried to let triumph over winning that small victory fill me, but since he was still in my booth, it felt like Rin had won instead.

  I marched into PV Middle’s main office first thing the next morning.

  “Jenna Sakai, what a pleasure to see you.” Mrs. Bauer, the school clerk, smiled at me. I had helped out in the office once a week after school in sixth grade for community service credit.

  I smiled. “Hi! Is Mr. Kim in?”

  “Let me check.”

  Mrs. Bauer came back after a couple of minutes. “You’re in luck. He’s free. Go on in.”

  “Good morning, Jenna,” Mr. Kim said when I entered his office.

  I set my notebook and pen on my lap as I took a seat across from his desk. “Hi! Thanks for seeing me.”

  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  “Yes. I’m working on an article for the Orange County Junior Journalism Scholarship application. And I had some questions for you.”

  “I think Ms. Fontes would probably know more details about the application process, but I can try to answer your questions.”

  “Oh, no, not about the application, about my article. I’m writing about the cafeteria renovation.”

  Mr. Kim smiled. “Ah yes! That was such a wonderful project!”

  Wonderful? Not likely. I opened my notebook. “Why do you say it was a wonderful project?”

  “Well, the kitchen equipment was old. The oven was broken, and we’d repaired the freezer at least three times in the last year and a half. But then we had a generous benefactor swoop in to save the day, so to speak.”

  “I heard that the donation was a million dollars,” I said.

  Mr. Kim looked surprised. “You are quite the investigative reporter, Miss Sakai.”

  “Thank you.” Actually, thanks to Isabella for making that discovery and sharing it with me. “Who was the donor?”

  He shook his head. “I’m not at liberty to say.”

  Hmm. A little obstacle won’t deter me! “Well, that was a lot of money.” I jotted a note to research how much it really cost to renovate a cafeteria. “Did it come with conditions? Or could it have been used for other projects, say, after-school clubs for example?”

  Mr. Kim leaned back in his chair. “I’m not sure what direction you’re heading in with this article, but let me assure you that this donation was not only generous but necessary.”

  I didn’t like his tone. He was treating me like some kid when I was a serious reporter! I needed him to just spill the info already.

  “Why does the donor want to remain anonymous?”

  “I can’t answer that. Perhaps they didn’t want attention for their generosity.” Mr. Kim glanced at the clock on the wall. “The bell will be ringing soon. You need to get to first period.”

  I packed up my notebook and stood. “Thanks for your help,” I lied. I needed to stay on his good side. He’d be judging my finished story after all.

  Mr. Kim smiled. “Good luck with the article. I’m glad someone is going to write about the project.”

  If that were true, he’d give me the information I needed. I hoped I could dig up something earth-shattering to make my article stand out. Then my tenacity would impress him and Ms. Fontes, too. I just needed that donor’s name!

  * * *

  That afternoon, I didn’t bother changing out of my gym clothes before rushing out of PE. It was Friday, and I had to take them home to wash anyway. I pulled sweatpants over my shorts and threw on my jacket. And I ran out of there.

  Gah! Somehow Rin still beat me to the diner!

  “How do you do it?” I gasped, throwing myself into my seat. I peeled off my jacket. I was all sweaty. “You’re not even out of breath.”

  He smiled but didn’t answer.

  Leigh’s clear voice sang the sugar-butter-flour lines and stopped at our table. “One Hamilton chocolate shake and one Waitress shake.”

  “I didn’t order yet,” I said. “But thanks.”

  Leigh nodded at Rin. “He ordered for you.”

  The smile dropped off my face. “How do you know I didn’t want the Hamilton shake?” I said to Rin.

>   “It’s chocolate,” Rin said. “You said it was too much chocolate for you.”

  “Back then! Maybe today I feel like too much chocolate.”

  Rin rolled his eyes. “Fine, then take the chocolate one.”

  Leigh gave me the chocolate shake, then picked up the roasted strawberry.

  “Where are you going with that?” I asked.

  “I’ll make another chocolate one,” Leigh said.

  “Oh, I’ll take it.” I reached out for the strawberry shake and nudged the chocolate one to Rin.

  “You won’t have to pay for that, Jenna,” Leigh said. “Rin paid the whole bill last time, so you have a credit.”

  I glared at Rin. “Then I’ll pay the bill today.”

  “You two are exhausting,” Leigh said, laughing.

  Rin shrugged and grinned. He took out his sketchbook but didn’t put up his wall of textbooks.

  “Done with all your homework?” I asked.

  “I don’t need another mother, thanks.”

  I smirked as I took out my notebook. I only had math homework today and already finished it during class. Keiko and I were going to study together on Sunday. I was relieved to have some time alone with her. I promised myself I’d be super nice.

  The sound of Rin’s pen moving across paper made a soothing soundtrack as I brainstormed other ways to find out who’d paid for the cafeteria.

  “How goes your investigation?” Rin asked, reading my mind.

  “Fine.”

  “Did you find out who donated the money?”

  “I’m not sharing information with you.” My phone buzzed with a text. Mom was picking up Thai food for dinner.

  “Who’s that?” Rin asked.

  “Wow, you’re nosy!”

  “See? I’d make an excellent partner to help solve your mystery. I could totally break into the school office and look through their files.”

  “Like I said, I don’t need help, especially from a delinquent.”

  Rin didn’t look at all offended. “Okay, so what’s your plan, then? Hacking the school computer system?”

  “You’re a hacker?”

  “No. Why? Would you let me help if I were? I could find one.”

  “No!” Gah! He was so annoying!

  He shrugged, then deliberately and slowly put his wall of books back up around his sketchbook. He was such a child! I didn’t care if I couldn’t see what he was doing. In fact, I’d had my snack and done as much work as I could on my article. There was zero reason for me to stick around.

  I slipped out of the booth, paid Leigh for Rin's order to even the score, and went home.

  When I got there, the house was empty. As I set the table, my phone buzzed and I assumed it was Mom telling me she was on her way, but it was Dad. I’d texted him a few times this week, and he hadn’t answered. Even if he was busy, he usually sent a quick emoji to let me know he’d seen my message. Only I hadn’t heard from him all week. As I sat down on the couch, I wondered what his excuse would be. Too tired? Busy with meetings? Going out to fancy restaurants?

  That was a new one. Dad didn’t travel much for work.

  I sat up so quickly my phone shot out of my hands. I caught it in midair, and forgetting I was mad at Dad for ignoring me, my thumbs flew over my screen.

  My phone rang. “Hey, Dad.”

  “I can’t keep up with you on text. I can’t type that fast.” Dad laughed.

  My anger disappeared. It was nice to hear him laugh. We’d laughed a lot over Christmas break. Unlike summer, when I’d spent most of it alone in his tiny apartment with ugly rental furniture, Dad had taken the whole week off from work. We’d gone ice-skating and mini-golfing, and he took me to this cool printing museum. It had been a good Christmas even though it was sad and weird not being with Mom, too. She had flown to Oregon to spend it with Auntie Kelley.

  “Dad! Japan!” I prompted.

  Dad told me all about his business trip. He’d gone to Tokyo for a week. I was so jealous!

  “I promise to take you one of these days,” Dad said. “I got you a few things. I’ll send them your way soon.”

  “Awesome! Thanks, Dad!”

  The garage door rumbled open.

  “Hey, Dad? I have to go.”

  “Ah, your mom is home.” Dad’s voice got quiet. “Okay. Talk later, kid.”

  I dropped my phone onto the coffee table just as Mom walked in the back door.

  “Dinner has arrived,” Mom announced as she took off her shoes. “Whew. What a long day. I’m exhausted.”

  “Movie?” I asked hopefully.

  “Sorry, Jenna. I had to bring some work home. Why don’t you call Keiko?”

  I took the bag of Thai food from Mom and walked it to the kitchen. “It’s okay. I have some homework. I’ll see her tomorrow at game night.”

  Besides, I’d brought work home, too. I was going to do some more digging. There had to be someone I knew who could get me the information I needed for my article.

  A week later, I hadn’t had any luck figuring out how to find out the donor’s identity. It was beyond frustrating.

  “Is that chocolate fudge?” Teddy asked.

  Keiko brought out a little plastic container from her lunch bag. She smiled as she passed it around to the guys. She turned to me. “I made you something else.”

  “You did?”

  Keiko handed me a cupcake. “I tweaked that banana cupcake recipe. It’s now banana strawberry with cream cheese frosting.”

  I took a big bite. “Yummy,” I said, wiping frosting from my mouth.

  Teddy nudged my leg with his foot. Ah yes. “So, for game night tomorrow, can we play Yahtzee?”

  It was my second attempt. Last Saturday was Scrabble yet again. At least that time I’d teamed up with Mrs. Carter for the win.

  “Sure,” Keiko said, laughing. “We’ll have to play something besides Scrabble anyway.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Macy hid it.”

  “Your sister rocks!” Doug shouted, punching the air.

  “How’s your mom doing?” Keiko asked when I’d finished the cupcake.

  “Fine.”

  Keiko waited for me to say more, and when I didn’t, she sighed quietly. I felt like all I did was disappoint or hurt her these days.

  “Do you want to come over for dinner before game night starts on Saturday?” she asked.

  I kind of wanted to wait to see if Mom would be around for dinner, but I didn’t want to risk alienating Keiko even more. She was the only friend I had left. “Sure.”

  Keiko smiled, and that made me happy. Now if I could only make headway on this article for the scholarship! Time was ticking.

  * * *

  After school, I lurked in the hall that connected to Ms. Fontes’s room. I saw Isabella and waved her over.

  “There you are!” Isabella said. “What happened to you?”

  “I got busy,” I said.

  “With?”

  I shook my head. “Actually, I wanted to ask who you talked to when you were investigating the cafeteria donation.”

  “All the office staff,” Isabella said. “Nobody knew. Mostly they were all excited about the donation. I got the feeling that to the school administration, at least, it was a great thing.”

  “Yeah, I got that impression, too.” I sighed. “How are things going with you?”

  “Good. Ms. Fontes gave me the go-ahead on my next article.” Isabella glanced over her shoulder. “You coming in?”

  “Not just yet.” I didn’t want to see Ms. Fontes until I had a better lead on my article.

  Isabella turned and started walking to the classroom. “I hope you come back soon, Jenna. Club’s not the same without you.”

  I nodded as I contemplated my next move. I needed a computer.

  Elliot poked his head out of the room, and when he saw me, he smiled. I steeled myself as he approached, a bounce to his step.

  “Hey!” Elliot said. “What’s up? Why haven’t you been
around?”

  That’s why he was so chipper. Probably glad to lose some competition. I wanted to tell him not to get too comfortable, but I wasn’t about to show my cards.

  “What do you want?”

  “Nothing. Just wondering what happened to you.”

  “That’s none of your business.” Not anymore.

  “Why were you talking to Isabella?”

  “Again. Not. Your. Business.” I pushed past Elliot and made my way to the library. I could use a computer there. I knew I could go home to use my laptop, but I didn’t like being alone in my empty house, waiting hours for Mom. The diner would have to wait. It was apparent that I would never beat Rin there, anyway. He was also getting sneakier about paying. I was going to have to have a talk with Leigh to make sure I paid my own bill. There was no way I would let Rin have any kind of power over me.

  One of the computers was free. I hurried over before someone else took it, pulled out my newspaper club notebook, and opened a search engine. There had to be someone outside our school who knew about the donation.

  “What are you doing?” Elliot’s voice came from over my shoulder.

  I swung around. “Why are you following me?” I said. The person using the computer across from me flashed me a dirty look. I lowered my voice. “Seriously, Elliot, don’t stalk me.”

  “I’m not stalking. I’m curious. What are you working on?”

  “Homework. Now stop being a creep and go away!”

  I waited till Elliot left the library before turning back to my screen. I knew he was trying to find out what I was working on for the scholarship application. If we were still together, we’d probably be talking about our articles and sharing information.

  We’d been inseparable, though, not one of those disgusting, mushy couples who seem joined at the hip. Elliot and I just loved the same things. We talked about current events and watched documentaries. He was my go-to person. I loved Keiko and she was my number one best friend, but she didn’t get my passion for writing. I mean, she totally listened to me go on and on, but with Elliot, I could have these amazing, intense conversations about the world beyond Pacific Vista.