Once Upon A Slap

(5) The Clique of the Notorious Ones

Okay, you can do this. Come on. People are staring at you oddly for standing in the hallways, blocking the path to the cafeteria and muttering things to yourself. Move it, Katie.

I attempted to give myself a pep talk, but failed miserably. I've never been really good with giving myself advice. I closed my eyes, wishing that nobody was going to bother me about the rumour. I've had enough dirty looks thrown at me to last a lifetime and more. I don't quite understand though; what's so good about a dick with a stick shoved up his ass 24/7?

I really, really don't even get it. Cameron hasn't even been in this school for an entire day and yet, the whole school seems to be wrapped around his finger. He just has that aura to him. All it took was one picture of the both of us 'kissing' to turn every single girl into hateful bitches.

I opened my eyes and slowly took a step it onwards my cafeteria table all the while groaning internally; I was letting Cameron get to me to the point where I was hesitant to walk into a damned cafeteria. This was so unlike me. I'm supposed to be confident and not a complete mess.

Why should I let Cameron get to me? In fact, Cameron should be the scared one. For god's sake, I hit him; not the other way around! Was I going to be strong enough to show Cameron I'm not afraid of any dumb rumour? Or was I going to show Cameron that I was weak enough to let a petty rumour scare me off?

I made my decision hastily.

I spun on my heel and briskly walked away from the cafeteria. I dropped my untouched food into the garbage, regretting the decision right away.

You fucking idiot; you could've eaten that food in your car.

I know that if I sit at the same table as Cameron, I'll just be feeding into the rumours circulating about us. So, I'll do the opposite. I fought my way past the huge body of students going the opposite way from me. I saw a cheerleader glare at me when I pushed her aside accidentally while trying to fight my way out of the mob of students. Instead of apologizing like any smart person would, I gave her the middle finger. Basically, I just told the head cheerleader to fuck off.

Again, reckless decisions.

I really need to stop with that.

********************************

A while later, I found myself situated in the ordering line for Tim Hortons.

"Hi. What would you like today?" The kind cashier questioned politely. I glanced down at her name tag; Helen. The name somehow suited her. It was motherly and that was the exact aura I got from her.

She was a little bloated and an apron was hung tightly around her torso. She had what looked to be frizzy blond hair, with one or two brown highlights. I smiled faintly, remembering the days my mother wouldn't have minded looking so frazzled. Helen seemed like a very loveable and caring person.

She also looks like the perfect pillow.

Okay, that was mean.

I rattled off my order, not even bothering to glance at the menu. Helen smiled sweetly.

"Coming right up, sweetie."

While my food was being prepared, I scoped the area for a vacant table. I quickly found one and seated myself. I turned on my iPhone and started playing games to pass time. Helen waved at me.

"Your order's done, dear." I got up and went to pay for and get my food. That's when I saw him.

Fucking Cameron Carters.

I know he didn't spread the rumour about him and I, but something about him irked me. Also, it doesn't help that he hates me for slapping him. What is Cameron doing here? To make matters worse, he was accompanied by the stranger I met at the party a few nights ago. I really didn't want to make small chat with him anymore because he probably hates me for slapping his best friend.

Damn it. I actually liked him.

Not to mention, Cameron had a third companion; Jason Beverly. Jason is what you could call the life of the party. He always seems to be laughing, but at what, I've never known. He was definitely very muscular but in my opinion, he was a little too buff. Jason had a defined jawline, stubble, short blonde hair and green eyes that held a certain glimmer. There was also a small cut stretching from his bottom lip to his chin.

How did he become friends with one of the most notorious people at Sealcaster already?

There I was, going out of my way to ignore him and he shows up anyways. The irony isn't lost on me. My palms begin sweating and I gripped tightly onto my wallet, as if my life was dependant on it. I walked up to Helen, pressed the money into her hands while swiftly picking up my food wordlessly.

Okay, fine. I'll admit: I'm scared of what Cameron might do. I mean, if he's already well acquainted with one of the most infamous people at Sealcaster, he could crush my reputation in seconds. What? I'm an idiotic teenager at the most cliché high school in the world; I'm supposed to be obsessed with my reputation.

Fuck my life.

I didn't bother to stay and eat, as the table where I had been sitting was now occupied. Once I got into my car, I banged my head against the steering wheel and groaned.

So much for a good first day.

*******

The chapters get much longer after a bit. Thanks!