Politically Incorrect Read Online Free Page A

pushed her free-range chicken salad around on her recycled paper plate and prepared herself for the worst. Even though in the end she was so confident in her writing that she’d turned in her essay without making any changes to it, she couldn’t get Miles’s “not so exciting” comment out of her head.
    “Are you feeling sick or something?” Chelsea asked. “You haven’t touched any of your food.”
    “I guess I’m just not hungry,” Sloan mumbled.
    “Aha,” Brynn said with a mischievous smirk. “Then the prognosis is lovesickness.”
    Sloan was not amused. Teasing from her friends was not what she needed right now. “Stop it, guys. I’m not in the mood.”
    “But are you in the mood for loooove?” Jenna cooed.
    “I mean it, Jenna,” Sloan said sharply.
    “Don’t get mad, Sloan,” Priya said. “We just couldn’t help but notice you and that new guy chatting it up yesterday by the lake. You guys looked rather cozy.”
    “Oh. Him,” Sloan said flatly.
    “What’s his story, Sloan? We’re dying to know,” Joanna said after taking a sip of organic root beer.
    But before Sloan could tell her friends about her awkward encounter with Miles, Dr. Steve appeared at the corner of the promenade with a bullhorn and commanded everyone’s attention with a booming voice.
    “Good afternoon, campers! I hope you are enjoying the delicious picnic lunch and the neat aluminum water bottles that we’ll be using all summer.”
    “Could Dr. Steve be any louder?” Chelsea asked, plugging her ears.
    “I think everyone in the state can hear him!” Sarah added.
    “Well, I won’t keep you all in suspense any longer,” Dr. Steve continued. “The winner of the ‘What Going Green Means to Me’ essay contest has been decided, and before I announce who that is, I just want to thank all the campers who entered for all their hard work and enthusiasm.”
    Sloan felt a wave of nervousness ripple through her body. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She almost couldn’t bear to listen.
    “Congratulations to Natalie Goode! You are the Green Festival committee chairperson!”
    Sloan slumped forward when she heard the news, but tried not to look too disappointed for her friend’s sake. Natalie, on the other hand, shrieked as though she’d just won the lottery.
    “Way to go, Nat!” Sarah cheered and hugged Natalie.
    “Thank you so much,” Natalie gushed. “I’m so psyched!”
    “Me too,” Chelsea said, smiling.
    Sloan knew she should congratulate Natalie, but she was having such a hard time keeping her emotions in check. In fact, her throat suddenly felt raw and she doubted that she could say anything at all.
    “I’m so proud of you, Natalie,” Dr. Steve said as he popped up at their table.
    Natalie was glowing with happiness. “Thanks, Dr. Steve. I’m really excited about helping you and Jasmine plan the Green Festival. I already have a bunch of ideas written down.”
    “Great, I can’t wait to hear them,” Dr. Steve replied, smiling. Then he turned to Sloan and put his hand on her shoulder. “Sloan, I can see that you’re disappointed.”
    Sloan gulped. Is it that obvious?
    “I just want you to know that your essay was good. You just didn’t seem all that passionate.”
    Sloan swallowed hard. Maybe Miles had been right about her essay. And sure, her feelings had been hurt, but why hadn’t she taken his opinion seriously? Perhaps she could have rewritten it and won. Maybe her reaction to his comment was a little overdramatic. Maybe she just hadn’t given Miles enough of a chance.
    “Natalie, meet me and Jasmine in my office tomorrow at nine AM so we can start getting organized,” Dr. Steve said. “The president’s daughter arrives tomorrow afternoon. There’s a lot to be done!”
    “You bet,” Natalie replied enthusiastically.
    Once Dr. Steve wandered off, Sloan managed to choke back her heartbreak long enough to approach Natalie. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that