Ugly Secrets, Pretty Lies

Twenty-five

The halls were buzzing with talk when I stepped into the school the next morning. But the moment I walked in, everyone quieted and turned to look at me. One girl pointed at me and whispered to her friend who giggled. I looked at the girls, confused. Talk started back up as I walked past. 

What was going on?

Before I could take another step, Kelly intercepted my path. Her blue eyes blazed with a cold fury. 

"What?" I asked, annoyed and ignoring the look she's giving me.

"First, you try to steal my boyfriend, and now you've caused him to break up with me," she snarls, shoving her face in mine. Doesn't really help that she's taller than me, courtesy of the stilettos she's wearing.

I took a step back and looked at her, flabbergasted. "I did not! As I've told you before, Kelly, and hopefully your head will process this more clearly the second time, I don't even want your boyfriend so why would I cause him to break up with you?" I didn't even know they broke up!

"Liar! I've always known you were no good, Quinn. You're trying to ruin my life and I'm bringing you down first before you even do that!"

I've tried being patient.

I pushed her away from me and met her eyes, feeling the familiar traces of anger flaring up in me. "How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want your boyfriend?"

"You're a slut," she says, teeth clenched.

I laughed and it wasn't a very nice laugh. "You're the one sleeping around and you call me a slut? Sorry, but you've got us mixed up."

"I haven't slept with anyone since I got together with Blake. And you've ruined my relationship!"

Am I suppose to feel sorry?

"Brilliant! Do you want a medal?"

"Cut the crap, Quinn. You're going to pay."

"I'm so scared," I said dryly.

"You should be," Kelly says, flipping her hair back.

What's with her and her hair-flipping?

"And I know about you sleeping with Thomas," she adds, her glossed lips lifting up in a smirk.

"I am not sleeping with Thomas," I said, biting off each word.

"Really? So you didn't go on a date with him yesterday?"

I felt cold. How did she know that I went on a date with Thomas yesterday...?

"How do you know?" I demanded.

Kelly put a hand to her mouth in mock surprise. "So it's true!"

"Tell me, Kelly. How do you know?"

"Why would I tell you?" she sneer.

I fought back an urge to punch her and buried that urge deep down. "Want me to have a talk with Blake?" I offered.

"And find you sleeping with him instead? No thanks. And I'm warning you. Don't go poking your low-class nosy nose in my business or else." With that, she turned on her heels and stalked off. How does she walk in them has always been a mystery to me.

I turned to find a crowd surrounding me. Apparently, they had been watching us like a show. "What are you looking at?" I barked, glaring at them. They scattered, muttering quietly. I went past them and made my way to first period, hoping for no drama. Great way to start a day with drama from yours truly. That rhymed.

*

"What did she say?" Lily asked, putting down her slice of pizza. We had sat down in Romano's not long ago and our order had come a few seconds ago.

"She said she's going to bring me down before I can bring her down," I explained, picking off a piece of ham on my slice and popping it in my mouth.

"Does that make sense if I say that's mess up?" Harper said.

I shrugged. "Don't ask me. And she's accusing me of breaking up Blake and her. Honestly, I could care less whether they break up or not. Just don't blame it on me because, girl, I didn't even knew they broke up."

Lily hum quietly. "It wasn't very dramatic though, thank God. I half expected Kelly to run away screaming. But too bad you missed it. It happened yesterday after you left the school."

I laughed, thinking about that. It must've happened before Blake came up to me yesterday. What a coincidence. Maybe. 

"Speaking of yesterday," Harper said. "Is it true you went on a date with Mr. Hot, French, and New?"

Oh boy, oh boy.

"Yeah," I admitted, blushing.

"Oh my God, Lily, look at her! She's blushing!" Harper squeaked.

I hid my face behind my slice of pizza and took a bite to avoid answering questions that they were sure to have. Lily prod me with her straw and giggled. "She's blushing," she agreed.

"Shut up," I muttered, sparing a second to glare at them both.

"Oh darling," Lily coos.

"How was it?"

"How was what?" I asked, knowing fully what they were talking about. 

"The date, duh," Harper said, rolling her eyes.

"Wellll.... It was pretty good. We didn't actually get to finish the food though, except for dessert. But we did eat."

Lily's and Harper's eyes widened. "You didn't—" Lily said, cut off quickly by me.

"No, no, no! It wasn't anything like that!" I said, realizing how I said the words. "He just kissed me!"

"Thomas kissed you!" Harper said loudly. 

I clapped my hand over her mouth. "Shut up, Harper!" I whisper-shouted. 

Harper giggled behind my hand and I removed it slowly. Lily smiled slyly. "Is he a good kisser?" she asked, poking me in the cheek.

"Yes, he's a good kisser. Happy?" 

"Very," Harper mused, smirking.

I muttered a few curse words and bit into my pizza, enjoying the cheesiness and the hot ham bits and pineapple. I thought back to earlier, when Thomas had greeted me at my locker with a kiss and walked me to class. He had gave me a greeting kiss at the beginning of lunch and said he was off with some friends. Then I was snapped out of my thoughts by Lily.

"Whatcha thinking 'bout, Quinnster?" she asked, a knowing look on her face.

I blushed, told her to shut up, and snitched her ginger ale and took a sip. In return, she snagged a piece of pineapple off my pizza and ate it.

"God, you two are like little kids," Harper remarked, smiling.

I leaned over, put my head on her shoulder, and smiled up at her as Lily wrapped one arm around Harper and Harper did the same to her.

"I mean, we're three peas in a pod after all."

-

Chapter dedicated to @BarefootCinderella5 for her support and comments!

Enjoy!

- Hollis