New Girl (A Food Network AU)

Chapter 10: The Party

Ina's POV

I'm not 100% sure why I forgave Paula and Giada. Maybe it's because I could hear their sincerity, or maybe it's because I need as many people on my side as I can get. I know Guy found out about the plan. I'm not sure how, but I'm guessing it was Anne. No helping it now, but I need a new plan to take down guy. Anyway, my group and I are currently on our way to lunch, having finished our first few classes. Once we were all sitting at our table, I heard a quiet voice talking to us.

"Um, hi. I was wondering..if you wanted to come to my party..?" A red-faced chef stuttered, holding out a flier to our table.

I looked at my friends and then back at the chef. 

"We'll look it over. Thanks." I said, taking the flier.

The chef nodded before running away to her table. I noticed Paula staring at the group. Giada chuckled and tapped Paula's shoulder.

"You're staring." She said.

Paula looked at Giada angrily before looking down and glaring at her lunch. Gina raised her eyebrows and looked at Giada expectantly.

"So...Is there something we don't know?" I asked.

Giada was about to speak, but Paula's head quickly shot up.

"Y'AINT GOTTA KNOW! LEAVE IT BE!" Paula shouted.

"Come on Paula, we're all friends here." Giada said, motioning to Gina and I.

Paula squinted at Giada for a solid 30 seconds before turning to us.

"I guess y'all can know. Go on, tell 'em, Giada." She said.

"Ok, so that girl that just came over here is Nancy Fuller. Paula's had a crush on her since she moved here in 6th grade. They were partners in baking class." Giada explained.

I knew that Gina was about to tease Paula, so I tapped her arm and shook my head at her.

"And that's fine. Paula, we won't judge you. We're your friends." I said.

I saw Paula smile slightly, before she muttered a quiet "Thanks."

I looked back over to Nancy's group, and saw the last member of it returning. Gina had also been looking at the group.

"Looks like all the usuals got invited to Nancy's party." Gina growled.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked.

"Guy and his clique will be there." Gina answered.

Paula shook her head with an angry look.

"We can just avoid them, right?" I questioned.

"I'm afraid not. If they want their revenge, this is the time to do it. At a party full of important chefs." Giada sighed.

Important chefs? Wait..

"What do you mean 'important chefs?'" 

"Only the best chefs get invited to this party. It's been held every year. And since word got out about you and Gina trying to mess with Guy, I guess that kinda makes you a big deal." Paula explained.

I was shocked for a second, but then I started thinking. Who else would be there? I started looking around the lunchroom and noticing people with invitations. I sighed. This party could either be the funnest day of my life, or the most catastrophic.