My So-Called Bollywood Life(24)

WINNIE: Thanks, but your phone is potential evidence. We have to keep him alive now. Better take out someone else.

DEV: A Star Trek faculty advisor maybe?

WINNIE: Haha, will let you know how this goes.

DEV: Good luck.



Winnie turned off her phone before stepping into the auditorium and almost running into Jenny Dickens. Jenny looked up; her eyes, lined in neon green, widened.

“What are you doing here?” she said. She looked over her shoulder at Raj, who sat at the edge of the stage.

“Mr. Reece asked me to come.”

Her shoulders relaxed a little. “Oh. That’s right. I know you want to be the most important person in this film club, but those days are over now that Raj has me to help him. Trying to win him back won’t accomplish anything.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” she said, moving her head like a bobble doll. “I know everyone is saying you guys should make up since you’re the golden couple, but that will never happen. He’s doing things for himself now and people are giving him the attention he deserves. You won’t get him back just because you want to take credit for his work now more than ever. Not while I’m here.”

    Winnie’s eyes narrowed. She stepped forward until she was nose to nose with Jenny. “For someone who’s known Raj for a fraction of the time I have, you’re pretty cocky, Jenny. Just remember—I’ll always have history with the club, with the festival, and especially with my ex-boyfriend.”

She smiled when Jenny backed up.

“Whatever. I know you’re trying to take him from me, but stay away from Raj, Winnie the Pooh. He’s mine now.”

“Oh, so clever,” Winnie said. Jenny gave her a wide berth and left the auditorium.

Winnie strode down the aisle to where Raj was waiting.

“What did you say to her?” he asked.

“She was catty. She hissed and I roared.” She curled her fingers to imitate claws and meowed. “Your new girlfriend has a mean streak.”

He grunted. “She’s not…whatever. Jenny is protective. It’s overwhelming sometimes.”

“Oh yeah? Well, you dated a super freak like me, so I’m sure you’ll work it out with her.”

He looked down at his phone. “I don’t want to.”

“What?”

    “Winnie, I told you that I want us to have another shot. That’s why I wanted you to keep the bracelet.”

“Oh no you don’t. I’m giving that back to you.”

“No. It’s yours. You’ll see once I deal with Jenny. I need to figure out how to tell her straight because right now she doesn’t understand that I want to end things. I made a mistake.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “She’s the one who took my phone and posted all those stupid things online about us. She and I will never have what you and I have.”

“Raj…”

“I begged my dad to get me in touch with Gurinder Chadha’s people for you, because I wanted to show you I was serious.”

“Don’t,” she whispered.

“It’s the truth. You know it.”

“But we can’t be the couple we were, and I don’t think we should try,” Winnie said.

“Then I’ll have to work on changing your mind. But we can drop it for now.”

“It’s not going to happen—”

“Remember when we went to that Bollywood music festival up in Parsippany last year?”

She couldn’t help but smile at the memory, even though she knew he was trying to change the subject. With a sigh, she said, “Our laptops wouldn’t stream, and the only movie we had on us to watch in the hotel room was—”

    “Bend It Like Beckham. You said you’d love to learn from Gurinder Chadha if you had the chance. Maybe you’ll get some time to talk to her now. You’re better at schmoozing than I am.”

The sound of the side door creaking open interrupted them, and Mr. Reece strolled in. He wore a Hulk T-shirt under a tweed jacket.

“Hello, you two,” he said. He held up a hand to Raj as he approached. “I’m so proud of you, Raj. You’ve really done a great job. This film festival is going to be fantastic.”

Winnie’s nerves crested like a tidal wave. “Mr. Reece? Why am I here?”

He looked over at her, blinking, his mouth setting in a thin line. “Winnie, as you know—as you both know—it’s not school policy to allow the same person to hold multiple positions in an organization. Your previous faculty advisor let both of you share the responsibilities, because you’ve worked so well together, but let’s try not to violate school rules. That’s why I’m splitting responsibilities, to prevent any administration issues.”

Winnie had known that Mr. Reece would do something like this, but her stomach still churned when he confirmed the one thing she was afraid would happen.

“Raj has done a bang-up job with the film festival—”

“After I set up everything last year,” she interjected. “No offense, Raj.”

    “None taken.”

“Yes, but he’s been innovative and worked very hard to get a guest judge who can really make this festival a success,” Mr. Reece responded. “The school will get a lot of publicity.”