The List. Siobhan Vivian

deal.”

      Dana cocks her head. “Yeah, but you’re the one who’ll get to be homecoming queen.”

      “That’s not a guarantee,” Margo says, even though it basically is. “And anyway, I don’t care about being homecoming queen.” Sure, it will be nice. But if Margo hadn’t made the list this morning, if it had been Rachel or Dana instead, she’d have been fine with it.

      Rachel pats Margo on the back. “Inviting Jennifer to hang out for half a lunch period isn’t going to kill you.”

      Margo pretends to concentrate on picking the lettuce out from her chicken wrap. It doesn’t surprise her how quickly the legs of Jennifer’s chair squeak against the floor.

      “Hey, Jennifer,” Dana says, sliding over so Jennifer can sit.

      “Hi,” Jennifer says. “I like your shirt, Dana. It’s so cute.”

      Dana grins down at her front. “Oh, thanks.”

      It’s quiet for a second. Margo glances over and sees Jennifer staring at her. “Hi, Margo,” Jennifer says, all bright and cheerful. “Congratulations on … you know.”

      “Thanks.”

      Rachel drums her nails against the table. “So, Jennifer. We wanted to tell you that we’re sorry that you’re on the list again this year.”

      Jennifer shakes her head, like it’s nothing. “Honestly, I’m used to it by now.”

      “Yeah, but you shouldn’t have to get used to something like that,” Dana says, pursing her lips. “Whoever made the list this year is a total sadist.”

      Margo thinks back to when senior year had just started. Dana got assigned a seat behind Jennifer in French II, and she complained every day for a week about the fat rolls on the back of Jennifer’s neck. Whenever Jennifer looked down at her textbook, the folds of skin would smooth out, and when she’d look up, they’d squeeze together, like a disgusting human accordion.

      It annoys her how easily Dana can forget the past.

      But it also makes Margo jealous. Because she can’t.