Prom Queen

Chapter 2 : THE First Encounter

Chapter 2

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''Honey?'' My mom called me as I closed the front door. I just finished taking a walk with my neighbours' dog, something that I do in a regular basis.

''Yes, Mom?''

''We will be having a dinner with the Woods' today, at Animal. It would be best if you start getting ready for the dinner. We will leave in an hour or so.'' Oh. The Woods. I didn't hate the Woods; I just found it hard to communicate to them, even if Serena was in the same grade and age as me. What made it harder than having a family friend's daughter who's the same age as me? She was popular. Like really popular, and I hated the looks people gave us while we were talking or walking together. That's why, as mean as this sounds, I decided to ditch her when junior year started. And so far, it worked. One more year to go, then no more Serena!

''Okay. Do I dress casual?''

''Laura,'' My mom scolded me. ''Do you think you should dress casual? We're going to the Animal.''

''Animal isn't the classiest restaurant here in Los Angeles.'' I retorted with a smile. It was sort of how we communicated. Some people would think it's rude, but this was really how we communicated.

''That is true.'' She nodded to herself. ''Dress casual, but not too casual, if that even makes sense.''

''It doesn't. But then again, when have you said something that actually makes sense?'' I teased.

She gave me a glare. ''Don't you need to take a shower right now? Because if you don't, I might as well get your laptops and I'll ground you for a week.''

I raised my hands up in fake surrender, walking towards the stairs that lead to my room. ''You're just angry because you're busted, again.''

''Wanna make it a month?'' She threatened as I laughed.

''Oh right! Will Dad come with us?'' I asked.

''No, he has to finish some business deal, but he will probably be home when we go home.''

* * *

''It's nice to meet you again, Mrs. Woods.'' I smiled. I wasn't exactly the shyest person around the Woods. I was more of a, how do I put this? Normal person around the Woods.

''Mrs. Woods, again? I told you to call me Martha, dear.'' She jokingly scolded me.

''I'm sorry, my parents have always told me to be polite.''

She just smiled at me before she started talking to my mom. They started talking about their high school days. I sighed. Guess I was all alone tonight, yay!

''Don't worry, dear,'' Mrs. Woods- err, Martha assured me. I gave her a questioning look. ''Serena will be here soon. She was just finishing some project, she'll be here with Shawn.''

I just smiled in return. I hope it looked real. As I've mentioned, Serena and I aren't close anymore, but her mom- including mine, seemed to be oblivious with the whole thing. Sure, Serena still tries to talk to me, when we're stuck together, but it's not the same. And Shawn was her twin brother. Me and Shawn were okay, I guess. When me and Serena were still in speaking terms, whenever I went to their house, Shawn would talk to me and sometimes, join when we played board games.

''Oh! Here they are!'' Martha gushed.

I cringed. Hopefully, this dinner won't be so awkward.

''Hi!'' Serena chirped as she sat beside me.