PLASTIC

24

It's the first day of school. My first day of Junior year.

I haven't talked to Regina all summer.

It's not like I haven't tried reaching out. I texted her a few times, asking if we could talk, but I never got a response. I've been on delivered all summer.

"You girls look so beautiful." My mom says as she looks at me and Cady in our new clothes.

I'm wearing baggy jeans with a baggy tshirt, silver rings, and green converses. Cady is wearing a pink tank top with blue jean shorts and white converses.

Typical Cady.

"Mom, we're going to be late. Can you take the photo so we can go?" I mutter, feeling slightly embarrassed that my mother still takes first day of school photos. They always turn out terrible, I hate them.

"Alright, smile!"

___

"Those bitches." Janis mutters as Cady, Gretchen, Karen, and Regina enter the cafeteria. I immediately look down at my tray when I catch Regina glance at me. "They think they can do anything they want."

"At least they aren't as bad as they were in the past. We have a semi-friendship with them, right?" Damien asks. I shrug, I've been keeping in contact with Gretchen and Karen still so I guess he's not wrong. "See!"

"Hey, Elle." I look up as I see my older sister walk over. "How's your first days going, guys?" She sits beside me and crosses her legs.

"Not bad." Janis answers. "Just pissed at Regina George, per usual."

"My day is great so far, Cady, thank you for asking. These assholes don't seem to care about me." Damien says with a sarcastic tone, I flick his arm.

"I'm doing okay too." I mumble as I glance over at Regina's table.

She seems fine. Unfazed even. She's doing alright and she doesn't even notice how broken I am. I know I should hate her for what she did. She lied about our relationship to her parents. But I can't bring myself to stop loving her.

"Elle!" Janis snaps her fingers, bringing me out of my daze. "Don't give her attention, she doesn't deserve it."

"I know.. I just-"

"No. She hurt you, Elle." Janis mutters, I sigh.

Cady walks back over to her table with the others. I watch as Regina greets her with a soft smile before interrogating her with questions.

I sigh and continue poking at my food.

~Regina's pov~

"How is she?" I immediately ask Cady as she comes back to our table. I hear Karen sigh at my question.

"She's okay."

"Okay?" I repeat.

Cady nods with a shrug, "That's all she said.. then she looked at you and went quiet." She continues. I look over at Elle and sigh. "You're going to have to fix whatever you caused, Regina, cause that's not my sister over there. She's usually happy and talkative.. now she's just.." Cady sighs, not knowing what word to use.

"Different." Gretchen mumbles.

"My parents will kill me if they find out I talked to her.." I mutter. I look back at my food and begin to poke at it.

"Who cares?" Karen says. "Do you love her?"

"Of course I do.. It's just-"

"Then go talk to her, Regina."

"She won't want to talk to me." I sigh.

I look back over at Elle's table and notice her looking right back at me. Our eyes lock for a moment. I try to grin at her but her eyes roll and she gets up from her table and she walks away.

"Regina." Gretchen says, making me look back at her. "Go talk to her."

I try to object but all three girls begin arguing with me, not letting me get a word out. So I grab my bag and begin walking to where I know Elle will be.