?You owe me a full minute off your last run for being late,
Hamilton!? she shouted after them.
?Sure, Coach!? Helen shouted back before she lowered her voice
to berate Claire privately. ?Why?d you say that to him?? she asked,
still feeling bad for Jason.
?Because it felt fantastic!? Claire replied unapologetically.
?I like Jason,? Helen said, realizing it was true. He had always
been kind to her, and he seemed to have a good head on his
shoulders. ?He?s a really nice guy, and you were awful to him.?
?Of course you like him, because Jason is nice to everyone.
Everyone but me. You don?t have classes with us so you haven?t
seen him do it, but whenever we debate, he always tries to shut me
down, arguing against whatever position I take. Even when he actually
agrees with me, he argues just to play devil?s advocate.?
?And why do you think he does that?? Helen asked with a little
grin.
?I asked him, and do you know what he said?? Claire plowed on,
getting herself even more worked up. ?He said everyone else in this
school is afraid to stand up to me in a debate, except for him, and
it?s good for me to have to work a little bit for once in my life!?
?How dare he challenge you to think deeper,? Helen said with
mock horror.
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?Believe me, it?s not a favor. He?s just trying to prove he?s smarter
than me.?
?Is he??
?Oh, I don?t know. Maybe. Lucas is smarter than all of us, so
there goes valedictorian. And then there?s Ariadne. She?s really
bright, too, but I think I have her beat. We?ll see what happens,?
Claire said, biting at her lower lip.