The 'Innocent' Geese

It was a bright, sunny day. Groups of teenagers lay across benches and the grass all over the school grounds. Unofficially, the grounds were very segregated; each group had a specific area. The 'Populars' reigned over the benched upper right area, whereas the 'Semi-Averages' chatted sociably in the grassy lower left area, with all the other social groups dotted around the large grounds. Of course, this particular area of the grounds was dominated by the soon-to-be Upper Sixth Years, except in the case of the 'Populars' who had their lower-year 'Wannabees' fawning over them in their area, whilst shooting condescending looks all across the grounds. Naturally, crossovers were common and nothing was set in stone, it had just been the way that these particular teenagers had felt most comfortable. The most common of crossovers was between the 'Semi-Averages' and the 'Innocent-Averages'. The two groups were so similar that they were often viewed as the same group and thus were extremely friendly.  As a result, their areas were very close, with very blurry boundaries and strong friendships. However, as we all know, strong friendships often break down into vicious arguments, leaving the friendship shattered- or leaving a friend shattered- with the prolonged and awful awkwardness to follow.

'It's a great day, isn't it?' a slightly shrill voice called. Not far away, a 'Semi' sat up abruptly. Shaking her head lightly, she blinked rapidly. 'It isn't them... is it? Oh god, that's her hair... It's like a bloody torch in this sunlight. Fuck, are they coming over here? Shit, shit, shit, shit! Act natural, maybe they'll  leave you alone...'  Her thoughts flew rapidly, getting quicker as the quartet of 'Innocents' approached her area. Footsteps neared, and she internally screamed.

The quartet of 'Innocents' put on brave faces as they approached the one 'Semi' they'd prefer to never talk to again. Guilt nibbled at their pretense, threatening to break through, but on they marched.

'We'll be fine guys, I'm sure she'll help us. Let's just get in there, ask, and get out. We won't prolong it, just like ripping off a plaster.' Her bright hair glinted in the sunlight as she shook her head strongly, as if trying to shake away her guilt and nervousness at approaching this 'Semi'. They came to a halt, and one cleared her throat. The wincing 'Semi' peered open one eye, and sighed heavily. She heaved herself up, and led the nervous 'Innocents' away from her beloved resting place. She rested on an empty bench and nodded her head, indicating to the 'Innocents' that she was listening.

'Oh! Uh-so... um, we uh-heard that you had uh-y'know...' she shook her long, bright auburn hair out of her face as she mumbled her well-hidden request. Her three companions exchanged nervous looks as they shuffled closer in. Their request was well-hidden, but incredibly obvious to the 'Semi' they had approached. The girl in question snorted loudly.

'Weed? You four want weed? For real, or is this just some stupid ploy to get me into trouble or something?' Again, she snorted derisively. After everything she'd been through with these four (known to her, not-so affectionately, as the Geese), she knew it wouldn't be wildly out of the norm for them to have a hidden agenda. The Geese exchanged looks once again, before putting on the most artificial kind smiles Rhea had ever seen.

'We're being serious... Look, Charlie's about to come back from her year away and she's done all these new things. We just wanna be, y'know, less behind on experiences I guess. Will you help us or not?' Clara, head Goose, spoke with a false aura of kindness, but the bitterness behind her words was clear. As head of the Geese (so named because of their deceptively kind appearance compared to their true nature), she resented having to come to Rhea of all people for help- especially with a request like this one. She was fully aware of the damage that both parties could do to each other if they chose to share this interaction with anyone, let alone the school or parents.

'Why don't you guys go to Becca or someone? She has 'access' too, y'know. Or go to literally anyone else, it's not exactly like I'm the only person with 'access' that you know.' Rhea made no effort to hide her sarcasm. Why should she, of all people, have to help the Geese? After everything they had done to her, everything they had been through with each other, she had no reason to help them. Sighing, she considered what she should do.  From over the 'Innocents'' shoulders, she saw her friends motion towards her and heard them call her name. 'Ugh, fuck it, let's just get this over with...'  she thought to herself.

'Look whatever, I'll help you out. Meet me in the Gardens at four tomorrow afternoon? And don't expect this to come for free either, okay? I'm doing you a favour, but I'm not doing it for free. Just, don't be late, okay?' She called over her shoulder as she walked back to her friends. Sighing, she shook her head when she was asked for an explanation as to why she'd just been talking to the Geese, the very people she blamed for her descent into misery.
'I'm definitely going to regret this...'