“At least we won’t freeze our tits off anymore.” I glance up at the voice and see a brunette in a cheerleading outfit and a high ponytail. She’s talking to another girl who looks exactly the same, only her hair is red and curly. It’s the two girls who knocked me down this morning. They acted like I was invisible, so at least that part of my plan is working.
“That’s the only plus side to cheering for the basketball team here. The games are inside. There aren’t even any good ones to look at.” The redhead pouts a little, and I look down, hoping they won't take notice of me. I go back to playing with the hole in my leggings.
“Hey, did you hear Ren got a full ride to Minnesota? Brent hasn’t even gotten an offer yet and he’s the freaking quarterback,” the brunette says in a horrified voice.
“I heard he’s been going up there on the weekends or something. Probably up there getting his dick wet,” the redhead adds. I feel my face warm for the second time today. Maybe that’s how girls talk to each other. I wouldn't know. I haven’t had a friend in a long time, and when I did it was before sex was a blip in our minds.
“Shit. God, he’s such an asshole, but I’m still going to see about getting with him. Being a starting football player’s girlfriend will make freshman year of college a cakewalk.”
“Maybe he already has one up there. I can’t get him to give me the time of day,” Red says, making me wonder who would willingly date an asshole.
“I asked Brent, and he said no. I told him I was asking about Ren for you so he wouldn’t get all pissy about it.”
“You breaking up with Brent?”
“I’ll give it another week and see if anything happens with his football stuff. I’m already in at Minnesota, so Ren would work. We all know Brent wouldn’t be anything without Ren. Maybe the school will try and pick them both up.”
“God, I bet he’s a beast in bed with the way he plays. That alone would be enough to put up with him being an asshole.”
I wish a hole in the ground would open and swallow me up. I don’t want to hear any of this. I know these types of girls can be the hardest on you in school, and I’m praying they don’t notice me. I scoot back in my chair, wanting to take up as little space as possible.
“Kristen, you were supposed to be here at eight sharp,” an older woman with short gray hair says coming from one of the back rooms in the main office. She’s the one who greeted me when I came in. The bell rings, and she looks to the redhead. “Carrie, class.”
I look up to see Carrie mutter a goodbye to Kristen then leave the office. Her curls bounce with her every step. Her cheerleading skirt waves around her butt cheeks.
“Sorry, Mrs. White. It took me longer to get the snow off my car this morning than I thought it would,” Kristen says in a super sweet voice. Nothing like the one she had moments ago when talking to her friend. “I hope I haven’t kept anyone waiting too long. It’s important that all new students at West High get the best first day possible.” She says it like she’s pitching some kind of campaign for the school.
“You’ve lived here your whole life. I think you know how long it takes to get the snow off your car.” Mrs. White’s not buying what Kristen is selling. A knot starts to form in my stomach. This girl is my tour person for part of the day. “Lily is behind you, and here is her schedule. You both have the same first class, so get a move on. I already let Mr. Cole know you’d be a little late.”
Kristen turns to look at me, and her pretty face scrunches for a fraction of a second before she smooths her expression. She plasters on her fake smile, making me wonder if she remembers me from this morning.
“Welcome!” she says in a half-squeal, making Mrs. White roll her eyes. I can see why she’s a cheerleader. She can really flip that pep on and off.
“Hi,” is all I say as I stand, grabbing my backpack. I still have on my coat, having shoved all my other winter stuff like my hat and gloves into my backpack. They don’t have a locker ready for me yet.
“I’m Kristen.” She reaches out her hand, and I take it. “I’m student body president and captain of the cheerleading squad.” She says it like she’s a politician.
“I’m Lily Parker,” I tell her, because that’s all I am. I don’t have a list of things to trail behind it. Not that anyone would care about it.
“It’s nice to meet you. Let’s get to our first class, then I can show you around.”
I follow her out of the main office and down the hall. Her mood changes the instant we are out of the office, and she hands me my schedule. She doesn’t give me another glance or say another word until we enter a classroom. The whole room goes quiet, and I swallow. I keep my eyes down the best I can and pray for it to be over quickly.
“Sorry, got stuck in the main office,” Kristen says.
“It’s fine, Kristen. Welcome, Lily. Please find a seat anywhere. We’ve already started,” the teacher says.
“Thanks,” I tell him, glancing towards the rows of desks filled with students. I go straight for the back of the room. There’s one empty seat and I grab it, dropping my backpack and taking my seat. When I glance to my left, I see a man that can’t possibly be a student sitting next to me. He’s a freaking giant. And he’s staring right at me.
4
Ren
The new girl walks in, and I recognize her. Well, not her, but her coat. She’s the woman I saw walking this morning. I wonder if that’s why she’s late. Maybe she had car trouble. I can’t get a good look at her since her head is down, but that’s her.