Perfectly Flawed

Four - Gabrielle Montgomery Does Not Giggle

Chapter Four

"Yes.... Yes. No. $16 million. Um, Jefferson I think. No, no don't do that. Move it to the next quarter." Gabrielle lay on Imogen's bed, filing her nails with her phone pressed up against her ear and her father on the other line.

Imogen was tapping a pencil against her accounting textbook, too preoccupied with her phone to answer the questions she was meant to be working on.

"Yes I've done it. I emailed you. No. No. He said Tuesday. Yes. Okay, I'll talk to you later..... Um, okay. Yes I understand. Goodbye."

"And that is exactly why I don't want to take over my father's company," Imogen scoffed, watching Gabrielle groan after hanging up her phone.

"It's not that bad," Gabrielle insisted, sitting up. "Although he mentioned something about sacrifices for the greater good, again, which freaks me out."

"What the hell is that meant to mean?"

"God knows. Oh, did I tell you I had a run in with Silas Strafford yesterday?"

"NO YOU DID NOT!" Imogen screamed, forgetting about her homework and throwing herself onto the bed. "Did you fuck him? You totally did. Was he good? How big was-"

"Jesus, Imogen!"

"Well, did you?"

"No.

"Then what is the point of this story?"

"You are insufferable. Remind me why I'm friends with you again?" Gabrielle huffed.

"Because I'm the only one who will put up with your shit," Imogen stood up, brushing non-existent dust off her pants. "Now c'mon. Maeve is throwing a party in her room, and it's Friday night."

"Fine," Gabrielle sighed, "but I'm not getting changed."

Imogen rolled her eyes. "Whatever, go looking like you're ready for a board meeting then. I, for one, am going to put on the tightest dress I can find."

--

Technically, parties were not allowed in dorms. Neither was alcohol, cigarettes or drugs. But that stopped no one.

Gabrielle wasn't bothered by the social scene at the Academy - she rarely had any free time, and found the students her age to be immature and too carefree. But with Imogen for a best friend, she had to put up with it sometimes. The thing was, Gabrielle didn't like parties, mainly because it was something she didn't know how to do. She couldn't control the situation, it wasn't something she could study and practice in her father's office, there weren't any rules. She intimidated everyone she talked to, so generally spent the whole night alone.

Imogen had made her take a few shots before entering the party, knowing that her friend needed to loosen up a little. The two girls knocked on the door, and were immediately let in by a flushed-cheeked Maeve Harrison. Maeve was one of the more popular girls of their year, and was notorious for throwing parties for the most elite of the cohort.

At least Gabrielle could rely on there being no lower class gawkers at the party.

"Come get a drink," Maeve yelled over the music, the alcohol obviously taking over any intimidation or nerves she usually felt around Imogen and Gabrielle. Gabrielle relaxed slightly as the alcohol kicked in, and she realised that everyone was so far gone that maybe they wouldn't alienate her.

"This is so trashy," Imogen yelled gleefully over the music, her large eyes scanning the room for potential hook ups.

"It smells like vomit," Gabrielle yelled back, giggling a little. She stopped herself. Gabrielle Montgomery does not giggle.