Hills of Lies

Chapter 9. Double Standards

A/N: Yes it's been a while but I'm back! This chapter is a bit longer than the previous chapters, but hopefully its not overdone. Thank you all so much for the support! Remember to vote and comment. Enjoy!

Cali made sure her outfit was perfect for the game. She shimmied into light True Religion jeans. She slipped on a Burberry burgundy halter top, laced up her Tims, she put on extra concealer to mask the still red mark on her cheek, and didn't forget her NYX blood red matte lipstick. Cali bounded down the stairs.
"Cali," William called.
Cali deliberately ignored him and headed out.
"Cali! Wait!" William yelled.
"Maybe you shouldn't have hit her." Kylie tsked and followed Cali out.
~
Volleyball practice couldn't come fast enough. Cali excitedly changed into her new beautiful blue and white uniform, the name Rawlings printed perfectly on the back. Arms linked with Lindsey and Hillary, they hit the gym floor for an intense workout.
They collapsed to the floor with the blow of the whistle, their muscles burning.
"Hey Cali," Natalia sat down, her back facing Lindsey.
"Hey, what's up?" Cali asked between gulps of water. She stared at Natalia whose ponytail was still perfect and she was hardly sweating.
"I just wanted to tell you how well you're doing. You really keep up with my pace. Keep it up and I'll ask Shapiro to make you co-captain." Natalia smiled.
"Wow thanks. That means a lot."
"Here. Text me whenever." Natalia handed Cali her phone to put in her contact information and gave her a hug.
"Wow, only here a week and already friends with Natalia Reznikov." Hillary said, slacked jaw.
"I would do anything to be part of the in crowd." Lindsey sighed.
"You guys are ridiculous. They are just like us except stuck up. I got to go, see you tomorrow." Cali laughed and headed to change. She doused herself in perfume and touched up her makeup. Genevieve was waiting for her by the end of the hall.
"Cali! You look so beautiful." Genevieve squealed. Cali looked Genevieve over; she wore a Tory Burch cutout trim white tunic, prada sandals, and her hair hung in waves.
"You look like a model." Cali mumbled. They made their way to the field and the bleachers.
"Why did you want to come to the game if you were going alone?" Genevieve asked.
Cali sheepishly replied, "Well someone on the team asked me."
Genevieve lit up instantly.
"Oooh! Who?"
"I don't want to say. Its nothing really." Cali quickly dropped the subject.
"Fine," Genevieve sighed. "Anyway, there's a big party Saturday night to kickoff the start of the school year. You should come!" It was more of a demand than an invitation.
"Yeah definitely. Sounds like fun."
"I was supposed to go shopping for an outfit for the party but I'm glad I came. In fact why don't we go shopping together?" Genevieve insisted.
"Sure. I'll text you my address." Cali smiled.
The lacrosse team hustled onto the field tearing Cali's attention away from Genevieve. The game began and Cali's eyes never left jersey number seventeen.
~
"Come on Brandon! Pass it already!" Garrett yelled over the commotion. They had seconds left in the game and he needed to make the last goal. The ball spun through the air and Garret stretched to catch it. With a deep breath and a thrust, the ball whizzed past the goalie and the buzzer announced the end of the game. Cali and Genevieve sprung up from their seats, screaming at the top of their lungs. Garret tore off his helmet his hair a sweaty mess. His teammates surrounded him with cheers and praise, but he was too busy searching the faces in the crowd. When his eyes met the prettiest emerald eyes he has ever seen, he gave his biggest smile. Cali's heart fluttered and she gave a sheepish smile and waved back.
"Garret? The one who invited you was Garret Vernon?" Genevieve's eyes widened as far as they would open.
"Yeah, why?" Cali asked still not taking her eyes off of Garret.
"Oh no reason in particular." Genevieve forced a smile.
'Only that when Blair finds out she'll murder us both.'
~
"I can't believe that bitch!" Blair screeched, stomping around Saks Fifth Avenue.
"I'm sure she has a good reason." Paige stated desperately in her friend's defense.
"If she did she would answer her damn phone." Blair snapped. Natalia ignored the enraged Blair and raked through the racks.
"I'm going to the fitting room." Natalia slid the curtain in front of Blair's angry face. Paige waited patiently to see what Natalia was trying on while Blair's face was stuck in a permanent scowl.
"Alright girls, I think I have found the one." With a smile, Natalia pulled back the curtain showing off the cobalt blue Zac Posen strapless split peplum dress. Paige and Blair simultaneously lit up.
"Well? What do you think?" Natalia twirled in front of the mirror. Paige smiled warmly.
"You look absolutely-
"Hideous." Blair interrupted. "That is not a good color on your skin tone, it gives you no curves, just take it off already." Natalia's smile fell instantly. She stared at herself in the mirror. She thought she looked stunning, but now she could see her athletic boxy shape, her unevenly tanned skin and overall unflattering body. She fought back the tears.
"Maybe just go with the Naom Hanoch fitted lace dress. The green and black will look great." Paige quickly stepped in before Natalia completely crumbled. Blair rolled her eyes as Natalia and Paige headed to the front of the store to purchase their dresses. Blair ran her finger over the dress Natalia had thrown to the floor. Natalia looked like a supermodel in that dress and she'd murder Natalia before she could ever think to out do her.
"Excuse me?" Blair pulled an employee over to the dress. "Could you please put this on hold for me? I'll pick it up tomorrow."
"Blair, you ready?" Paige called.
"Coming."