Super Girl ✩ {being edited}

Chapter Ten

"You're really doing this?" Wes takes a sip from his coke. 

I swirl some spaghetti around my fork, nodding and looking up at him. "Definitely. Don't you think this could be a chance to actually make a difference?" 

"What if it doesn't work out though? Won't you give up then? Might end up bitter like that sad teacher you told me about? What if you try and fail?" 

"That won't happen" I say decisively, I'm certain. "I won't be like that." 

"That's what everyone thinks though, right?" 

"This is different" I insist. 

Wesley laughs. "Alright, Bev, alright." 

"Speaking of different, is Rita?" I ask, changing the subject before starting to eat. 

His lips curl into a smile. "She's amazing, Bev, you'd love her." 

"I would?" 

"She seems shallow at first, like I said, but once you talk to her, she's much more open and she's really interesting. She's pretty much open for any kind of music, she loves old Hollywood movies, she is loaded but she's trying to find a proper job and earn her own money. It took me a while to get through to her but now that she's sure I wasn't just looking to get in her panties..." 

"You don't?" 

He scoffs. "Bev, babe, you're being impossible." 

"Only realistic" I shrug. "You said she was hot, but also that she seemed shallow." 

"Love at first fucking sight" he laughs, taking another sip from his drink. "I wish I could invest in your project though, Bev, have you got a rough concept?" 

"Not entirely, we're working on it. We'e been busy. I've been telling Melanie to take it slow so it doesn't affect her grades but she's a champ. I swear, I wouldn't have been able to handle it all as well as she is when I was in school. She's not even embarrassed about what's happening anymore, doesn't even care if the others find out. It's amazing. I'm so proud of her." 

"You should tell her that." 

"I will. I just hope that it'll all pay off, that this actually becomes something we can achieve a difference with." 

"Hey, what if I run the idea by Rita? She's been telling me about her brother, he's trying to follow into their parents' footsteps and is looking for something to invest in. They gave him some money to make his own start in the business world, he'd probably want to check if it's worth it. Rita says he's alright, even though he doesn't tend to show it." 

"Wes..." I shake my head. "That'd be great but what would they know about bullying? Rita's a babe, you said, I'm sure if her brother is half as attractive, he won't understand the concept, nor the message we're trying to get across." 

"It doesn't matter, it's worth a shot, eh?" His eyes widen. "You'd do all the work, all the representation. He just backs you up financially, scores some profit and if this thing actually takes off, you'll be able to pay him back in no time and get rid of him, make it on your own." 

"It's not suppoed to blow up like that, we're taking it slow, we just need to see if people are interested at first."

"Well, you think about it and then say the word. The option's there." 

"Thanks, Wes." 

And as much as we want to take it slow, Melanie is already in headfirst and I can't even begin to comprehend how enthusiastic she is. 

"So, what's the most important thing we need?" 

It's not so much my idea with a little bit of her help now, it's become our thing and she wants to make it work just as much as I do. And the fact that she's doing this even though it may get out to the others in class, even though it might give them more of a reason to victimize her, and that's even more impressive. But she's set her mind on making a difference now, she's thought of some things and there's no stopping her now. And that's why I want to rely on her creativity and motivation.

"I think we need some money for a start, some investors and I think it'd be best to put our idea up on a website where people can choose to fund us. We want them to believe in it and understand our vision, right? Small donations could make a big difference for the beginning but we need to come up with a proper concept that shows we're not just about another anti-bullying campaign." 

Melanie sighs. "I wonder how it's ever supposed to become something more with just the two of us." 

"Hey, where's your spirit gone? Everyone starts out small. At least there's two of us and we're going to reach two completely different sets of people beacuse of that. Our target participants are obviously people your age, but the teachers and parents I could get interested in our idea can be volunteers as well as people who can share our plans with their students, their kids, people they work with. There are no limits. And the money is mostly to some advertising, but that won't be overly expensive, it can easily be done over social meda for the most part." 

"You're right, you're right" she nods. "But we can have meetings too. Go on trips?" 

"Definitely. We'll start out with our website, chatting, figure out a way to filter out trolls. We'll announce our plans with the project as well. 

Melanie smiles. "That sounds great." 

"You know, I'm really proud of you for how open you are about all this." 

"Well" she shrugs. "There's nothing in it for anyone if I just sit at home and cry." 

"You're going to inspire a lot of people with that attitude." 

She grins. "So, where will the first official meeting be? Do you think we could get enough money to rent a space?" 

"We could easily get investors through the social media promotion. I'll try and get donations." 

"Perfect" she says, nodding, looking back at me with her gaze slightly changed. "Miss Nicholls?" 

"Yeah?" 

"If this is what you became a teacher for, to make a difference, you're doing just that. And even if it doesn't work out as planned, I hope you don't give up." 

I press my lips together, smiling. "Thank you, Melanie."