The Shy and the Popular

Chapter 5

Monday morning.

Yay! Not.

I reach over my bed to the bedside table and turn my irritatingly loud alarm off. I really need to get a a new one. The current one is pink and covered in silver sparkly stars. Yeah, not happening.

Its now 7:30 exactly so I've got 15 minutes till my bus comes. Great, just fricking great. Showering only takes 5 minutes and I rush out t choose my clothes for the day. I know I go to a posh school and all, but that doesn't mean I compromise on comfort. So out I pull a yellow tank top from Target, jeans and a denim jacket. I pull my hair up in a high ponytail and apply some cherry lip balm. I seriously dislike make-up.

As I head t the kitchen I see a note from mom.

Emergency at the studio hun! Had to leave. Will be back late. Enjoy! mom x

I roll my eyes. Like I was expecting anything different. I scoop a fistful of Lucky Charms from the box and directly into my mouth. Do NOT call me mad, okay? Then I suddenly notice the time as the clock beeps 8:00. Damn!

There was still a little teeny weeny bit of time left. The bus usually came late and I could make it potentially. I grab my bag and stuff my notepad in it. That notepad is essential, it's like my secret diary. Cliché I know. But I've owned the thing ever since freshman year!

I pull on my converses and run out just in time to see my beloved bus leave. I am not a morning person!

***

'Lily!' a girl shrieks from the parking lot as I walk ( keyword there, WALK) into the entrance of Ashcombe High. I immediately frown at the sight of Kylie Waters. Queen Bee. Absolute plastic material. Fake.

We met in elementary school when I asked to be her friend. She pinched me hard, stuck her tongue out and strutted away. I don't even know what I had done wrong, but since that day onwards, she has made my life a living hell, tortured me to no extent and taken pleasure in my humiliation.

I am in no mood for another insult so I shake my head and start to walk in the opposite direction.

'Back for more entertainment, nerd?' she jeers at me.

'No one likes you Lily, why d'you even bother coming to school.'

My fists automatically clench but I know I don't dare to do any more. I raise my head and look at her directly in the eyes.

'To actually study, unlike some,' I state simply, giving her a once- over and walk off.

Jeez! She was wearing a low-hanging, hot, red top, invisible black shorts and ankle high boots. Her face sported so much make-up that it should be illegal. Does she not realise she looks more like a clown?

In my fury and carelessness, I bump into Vi and mutter mild profanities, whilst glaring in Kylie's direction.

'What's got your knickers in a twist?!' she chuckles with an amused expression, which hardens quickly as she sees Kylie. They have a stare- down.

Let's just say, when we were in ninth grade, the she-devil had spread some rather nasty, false rumours about Vi. The poor girl had to take two weeks off school as she was so embarrassed about it. Being the badass person she is, the moment she came back to school, Vi stuck hundreds of posters with Kylie's face, except she had photo-shopped the image to make it look as if Kylie had green skin and goblin ears. Immature, I know, but what can I say? Since then, the mere presence of Kylie, causes her ever-smiling face to morph into one showing hatred. Suffice to say, Kylie also avoids Vi. Well, apart from the occasional stare- downs like the current one happening now.It was more of a glare-down actually.