Mannequin Madness

Chapter Six

ChapterSix

I tried my very best to avoid Mackenzie all morning, I really did. And when I heard the rumour that she was looking for me, I tried even harder. It couldn't be good, right? She must have heard today. The interview was all over the papers this morning; the news headlined an exclusive meeting with my mother and I was still convinced that Mackenzie simply had to know because she was trying to become fake-friends with me.

It was simple, really.

If only it had worked.

"Penelope Louise Parker, stop right there! Don't move," Mackenzie screamed at me from down the hallway. I had a good mind to run, but then she'd chase me and then I'd probably pee myself. Because secondary school is scary and Mackenzie is scarier. So I didn't run, instead I pressed my back against a locker and adopted religion.

PleaseGod, don'tletherkillme. Itwouldbe the worstpossiblewaytogo- struckdownby the school'squeenbitch. I'd rathergethitbylightningon the wayhome. Oh, please...

"Why didn't you tell me your mum is Natalie Riorman? Like, the Natalie Riorman," she as she tottered to a halt in her ridiculous heels. Seriously, it's autumn and English weather isn't exactly known for playing nice- what, exactly, compelled her to wear wedge sandals?

"Um, it slipped my mind."

Her unevenly plucked eyebrows shot up quicker than fuel prices. "Right. Now, I'm going to say it one more time and I want you to listen really closely. Why didn't you tell me who your mother was?"

I opened my mouth. I was going to answer, honestly, I was, but something about confrontation causes me to freeze. My brain turned off and my words stopped working and I tensed up. I tried again, but no words escaped.

Over her shoulder, I could see a crowd forming. I couldn't name most of the faces and I couldn't count on any for help. My best bet was to hope a teacher would pass.

"Penny," Mackenzie snapped, clicking her fingers to draw my attention back to her. "Did you not think it was important? Did you not think we had a right to know that we were going to school with a supermodel?"

No, notreally, I thought. I don'tthinkyou have a righttoknowanythingaboutmypersonallife. My brain was working, but the words wouldn't transfer to my mouth. My lips moved, but no sound came out. And there was still no sign of help.

Mackenzie glared into my eyes and I couldn't look away. I tried to speak but again, I failed to form words. All that escaped was a quiet strangled whimper similar to that of a dying cat.

"It was really inconsiderate of you Penny, really." Mackenzie paused, probably for dramatic effect and in that moment I hated her. I hated her so much because she was just like my mother and I didn't want to deal with two of them. I decided that I didn't want anything to do with her; I'd rather be alone than fake-friends with a self-centred, attention-seeking, egomaniac.

And to make it worse, she continued talking. "I mean if there were to be hate crime against you and, like, the school got bombed or, like, attacked by mad men with guns, we'd all die because of you and your mother. Really, really inconsiderate."