[Friday]
Juliette walked the school halls, accustomed to the usual chatter and occasional drama that filled the air. As she made her way through the corridors, the PA system crackled to life with an announcement that caught her attention, "Imogen Adams to Principal Clanton's office" it blared
"Oh shit" Juliette whispered to herself
Outside the principal's office, she found the rest of her friends already gathered, waiting anxiously for Imogen to emerge. Moments later, Imogen stepped out, visibly shaken, "We heard the announcement and assembled. You okay?" Tabby asked, concern etched on her face
"Uh...Karen dropped out of the race" Imogen announced
"Shit. Because of us?" Noa questioned
"I don't know. Can you think of another reason?" Imogen responded
"And, um, she also took responsibility for trashing the posters" Imogen added
"See? Female Patrick Bateman" Tabby remarked
"And I...I am going to be Spirit Queen" Imogen choked out
Tabby placed a reassuring hand on Imogen's arm, "Hey, Imogen, talk to us. We got you" She said softly
"Oh, you guys—you guys—" Imogen started, her breath quickening
Recognizing the signs of a panic attack, Juliette sprang into action, "Bathroom, now" She instructed firmly
In the privacy of the bathroom, with Imogen seated on a small bench, tears streamed down her face, "Clanton said...like mother, like daughter. But I...am nothing like my mom. She never would've done what I did...showing that video" Imogen confessed, her voice trembling
"No, no, no. It wasn't just you. It was all of us. We made a pact, like the Loser's Club" Tabby reassured her
"My mom would've taken a hammer to the phone, not kept it for months like I did" Imogen said
"But Beasley confessed—" Noa interjected
"That doesn't make what we did right. We messed up with Karen. And all I can think about now is...what my mom would say if she was here?" Imogen sighed heavily, "Karen was right. I am a terrible person"
"No, Imogen, don't let her gaslight you. You are many things, but a terrible person is not one of them" Tabby insisted firmly
"Yeah, the terrible person is still Karen. That has not changed" Faran chimed in
"And I think it's badass that you're going to be Millwood High's first pregnant Spirit Queen" Noa remarked
Imogen shook her head despondently, "I'm not going. I can't handle a school dance right now" She confessed
"Okay, I'm not suggesting this because after 'Moonlight,' 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' is my favorite coming-of-age movie, but...what if we went together?" Tabby proposed
"Who?" Faran asked
"Us. Us six as like...friends?" Tabby clarified
"I can't" Noa said, lifting her foot to show her ankle monitor, "But you five should definitely go. Be young and free and shit" Noa suggested
Juliette felt a pang of empathy for Noa, knowing she wanted to attend but couldn't, "I've never been to a dance...in real life" Mouse admitted quietly
"Have you ever done anything in real life?" Noa teased gently
"Maybe this makes me a terrible person, but...I don't feel guilty at all. And I'm definitely down for the dance. This hot guy from Swan Lake is gonna be there, and shockingly...I think he's straight" Faran joke
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Hidden Flames
FanfictionIn the small, secretive town of Millwood, Juliette Thompson navigate the complexities of friendship, love, and danger. As she faces the threats alongside five other girls she never thought she'd talk to along with the pressures of their own lives, a...
