PLASTIC

06

"You have a crush on Regina!?" Damien gasps loudly as he announces my secret to the entire cafeteria. I get a few glances but overall, nobody really heard.

"Shut up, it's not my proudest moment." I hide my face in my hands, refusing to eat the disgusting cafeteria food.

"I'm pretty sure everyone, besides Damien, has been in your shoes." Janis says as she takes a large bite of her sandwich. "I had a crush on her in middle school. Sadly, she was my gay awakening."

I sigh and look over at the Plastics table. Cady didn't come to school today, she has a cold so my mom made her stay home. Gretchen and Karen are in their own conversation as Regina reads her yogurt container, probably reading the nutrition information.

"She's not like that outside of school." I say as I rest my chin on my palm. "She's actually really sweet when she's alone."

"Sweet? Uh-uh honey, Regina George is the apex predator of our generation." Damien says with a chuckle. "Admire from afar."

I huff and comb my fingers through my hair. "I'm going to run to my locker. I'll see you guys after school."

Janis and Damien wave goodbye as I exit the cafeteria, putting my black headphones over my ears as I walk.

I unlock my locker and open it up, only for it to be slammed shut again. "Elle." Regina.

I look over at her and raise my eyebrow in confusion. "Is something wrong?"

"People have been talking about my accident at the talent show." She looks around and huffs before pulling me into the janitors closet. "I'm losing it."

"Losing what?" I ask, still not understanding.

"My popularity. Your sister is taking over!" She huffs and rubs her hands over her face. "Everything was fine until you got here!"

"What? Why is this my fault? Blame Cady." I stand up for myself. "I'm not in your way, Regina, she is."

"That's not it! That's not the only reason I'm pissed off!" She begins to yell now.

"Well don't take it out on me!" I shout back.

Regina huffs and glares at me. Her usual glare from when we first met, I haven't see that glare in months.

"I'm not taking anything out on you, Elle. I thought I could talk to you because you're my friend!" She shouts. "Whatever. Fuck you." She rolls her eyes and exits the janitors closet.

I huff in anger and leave after I know she will be gone.

The day ends rather quickly. I'm now laying flat on my bed, staring straight up at the ceiling, as Janis and Damien sit on the floor. We're blasting music as Janis draws a portrait of Damien, due to his request.

"Elle!" Cady yells as she enters my room, not knocking. "Did you steal my curling iron?"

"I don't curl my hair. And learn to knock!" I yell at her. "You don't curl your hair anyways."

"It's not for me. It's for Regina."

I sit up at her words. Janis and Damien look at me with their mouths agape. I told them about the argument Regina and I had in the closet earlier, since then they've been begging me to call her but I refused.

"Regina is here?" I ask in a quiet, shy tone.

"She's in my room with Gretchen and Karen. I told you they were coming over today." Cady sighs. "Now do you have my curling iron or what?"

"It's in mom's bathroom." I say, Cady thanks me and leaves.

"Uh oh.. What's the long face for?" Damien sits on the bed beside me and pinches my cheek. "Smile."

"They normally hangout at Regina's house.. why are they here?" I ask as I exit my room and go straight to Cady's. Janis follows but Damien stays put.

I knock on the door and to my surprise, Karen opens the door. "Oh, hi Elle!" She greets me with a sweet smile. "Cady is using the bathroom right now but you can come back later."

She tries shutting the door but I open it and step inside Cady's room, finding Regina lying on her stomach on Cady's bed. Gretchen is sitting at the vanity and Karen is stood beside me.

"What made you guys decide to come here today?" I ask all of them but keep my eyes on Regina who refuses to look at me.

"We needed new scenery." Gretchen tries to lie but she's cut off by Karen who tells me the truth. "We have secrets to talk about that Regina's mom can't hear."

I nod and scowl at Regina before looking at Karen. "Secrets?"

"Yeah!"

"Karen, shut up." Regina mumbles, not looking up from her pink book that's labeled Burn Book.

Janis sighs as she stands behind me. Cady enters her room and holds up the curling iron, "Regina, I can do your hair now."

Regina closes her book and gets off of the bed, walking past me and shoulder-checking me as she goes. I roll my eyes and leave Cady's room, Janis follows.

"What was that about?"