Page 16 - HowToBeMe

My turn. I must think of an idea. My mind went blank. Then I had it: “Ballroom.”
“What did you say?” asked the girl. “Can’t hear you.”
“Ballroom,” I said.
She laughed. “A ballroom is not a proper room.”
“Yes ... it is,” I said. “Anyway, it’s a stupid game. Your turn.”
“A ballroom wouldn’t be in a house, you banana,” said the girl. She never blinked. Her finger poked the frayed ends of her tights. “It’s meant to be ‘in a house’. You’re wrong. I win.”
“There could be a ballroom,” I said firmly. “I’ve got one anyway.”
“Ha ha! You what? Really?” Her bottom lip jutted out as her mouth opened.
“I won,” I said. “We have ... in fact ... got one.” My voice had gone wobbly. “We don’t use it, though. Hardly ever.”
“You are joking, right? You’ve got a ballroom? That’s ... that’s ... that’s insane!”
Why was she so loud? The nearest boy stopped calling to his partner, his head on one side.
14
My heart beat fast, enough for a heart attack.
How to Be Me by Cath Howe
Uncorrected Sample
Not for Redistribution • Copyright © Protected