Ugly Girl

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve: Zoey

I sat sprawled out on my couch, Ally beside me. Lizzy had left a while ago, something about a sick little brother. Which was weird, I don’t remember Lizzy having any siblings.

We had officially figured out a plan of attack for each one. For some, we would start rumor that would be believable. For others, we would find out a little secret that was actually true. Those would do the most damage. In a few special cases, we would turn friends against friends. But in Beth Jones case, we would turn the whole school against her.

Lizzy was assigned to spread rumors about Beth Jones among the nerds. It would eventually make its way to the popular kids through the nobodies; the students that were neither cool nor nerdy. Ally had the job of coming up with the rumors. This required her to do plenty of "research" on her subject. Johnny was to chat with the popular kids about how "cool" and "awesome" I am. Johnny could easily do it; he could charm the pants off anyone. And finally, Mace had to keep up with our progress, recording who was currently popular and who was not, which was a good job for him. He had been making charts and lists since the third grade when he won the science fair. That left Riley and I to simply sit pretty while they did all the work. Our job would come when theirs was done.

Ally leaped of the couch, swinging her long legs around like a ballerina, "I'm officially super bored." she yawned. "Where's our pizza?"

I smiled coolly at her, "Patience is virtue, Ally."

She rolls her eyes before whipping her phone out of her pocket. She quickly taps Johnny's number in, demanding to know where her food is. I take this opportunity to check my Facebook on my laptop. Nothing of interest strikes my interest as I scroll down the news feed. That is until I get to Beth Jones's status.

Ugly girls can't be popular

Without thinking, I grab Ally's sleeve and pull her towards me, urging her to look at the screen. Her brows turn down in anger and I see steam fly out her ears.

"That bitch is going to get it."

~Riley~

I cannot freaking believe it, I think as I stare at the blank white board. My history teacher drones on and on about some war but I can't even think about that. Do it...? After Ally showed us the status Beth posted, the only thing I wanted to do was punch her lights out. I was totally ashamed of myself. How could I even think of something like that! What kind of man would want to hit a girl? Well my answer came last night as I tried desperately to grasp sleep.

A man in love.

It was obvious really. After the first day I got here, all I could think about was Zoey. How she seemed to understand me as soon as I got here. And at the carnival, how I just felt comfortable around her; something my own father couldn't get me to feel around him.

In a sense, Zoey was perfect. Sure she wasn't pretty, but she was on the inside. I had never actually liked anyone other than cute girls and Zoey made me realize how much of a jerk I truly am. Zoey was sweet, funny, and- I shook my head. I need to focus! I thought angrily.

Very faintly, I heard giggling in the back of the classroom. I turned back to see Ally and Johnny staring right at me, trying not to laugh. When I bet their eyes, they quickly looked away but exploded into laughter.

My heart skipped a beat as the teacher screamed at them, what were they talking about?

~Beth~

"Well," Lizzy said hesitantly when I asked her who Zoey had a thing for. "I think she might like this one guy but I don’t know."

I leaned forward in the cramped band room. "Who?" I demanded.

"Riley-"

"Him?" I let out a loud, witch like cackle, "He'll never go for a girl like her! He's hot and she's not!" I paused, an idea forming in my brain. A wicked smile crept over my lips. "You can go.' I said curtly to Lizzy. I know exactly how to get Zoey to stop in her tracks.

I'll make Riley fall for me.