Bad Reputation

Bad Reputation (9)

Chapter 9

It was Friday morning, and the rain was pouring down outside. I had already parked my car in the school’s parking lot. Friday was the day my mother didn’t have to be at the office until ten, and father never even went to his office. It was his “work from home” day.

And since I had no intention of speaking to either of them about my missing dinner last night, I had left early. It was still half an hour until school began and I was standing by my locker and getting the books I needed for my first classes.

Of course, in my mission in avoiding my parents, I had forgotten one crucial part about Fridays.

Reagan always came earlier due to her student council meeting. It began at 8:10 AM and lasted until 8:30, when first period began.

I hadn’t talked to Reagan since the disaster that was Tuesday morning, and I was not looking forward to our next meeting.

That one burst of confidence I had shown then was simply a result at the anger I felt for her. Now I only felt regret. I shouldn’t have lashed out on her like that. Even if she betrayed me, she had been my best friend for years. I knew her like the back of my hand. She’d always been a part of my life. Maybe it was stupid of me to throw all of that away over Damian, even if I loved him. Maybe I could learn to forgive her over time. Why should I believe anything he had told me about her? Maybe he was right about the other things he said to me. I had been doing a lot of thinking lately, and come to the conclusion that I was boring. I never did get out and I never tried anything new, except for that cigarette and I couldn’t even keep the smoke down. Even if he was right about that, I didn’t want to believe he was right about Reagan too.

These were the thoughts that plagued my mind when I heard her voice.

She was standing behind me, her hands on her hips as she studied me.

“Really, Melissa. It’s only been a few days and you have really let yourself fall, haven’t you?” she asked.

I glanced down at myself and noticed I had forgotten to tuck my blouse into my skirt this morning. My tie was hanging loosely around my collar, as I couldn’t find the energy to tighten it this morning and the socks were pooling around my ankles.

“I’ve seen you associating with the lower population of the school lately. You know, just because Damian dumped you for me, doesn’t mean you have to lower you standards like that,” she said when I didn’t respond to her criticizing of my clothes.

“I-I…” I stuttered.

Reagan had a vicious glint in her eyes that I had never seen before. I couldn’t recognize the girl I had been friends with in her expression. It was a look made to install fear in her victims, and right now I was the prey.

“What’s wrong, Melissa? Cat got your tongue?” Reagan teased maliciously.

Had she always been like this? Had I just been blind the past seventeen years of my life?

“Anyway, I wanted to talk to you,” she said, bringing my attention back to her. “I’m not happy about the way you spoke to me the other day, and I just want to make it clear that it will not happen again.”

I eyed her doubtfully. Why was she using that demanding tone on me?

“Of course you wouldn’t be my best friend anymore. Molly has taken that role, but I would be willing to forgive you.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. Her tone was so… condescending. And the way she phrased her words made it seem like a chore to have to forgive me. I had every right to talk to her like I had after she slept with my boyfriend. She had betrayed me, and here I had been, thinking of forgiving her. I probably would have if she hadn’t talked to me like that.