Aaron and Kat (Wattys 2017)

Chapter 7

KAT Monday February 1st

'Hey.' Stacy's voice is barely audible when she puts her books down on the table next to mine. It's second period, which means law class. 'Can I sit here?' She asks.

'Sure.' I say, sounding as neutral as possible before pointedly turning back to Marie who is observing Stacy from the corner of her eye.

We haven't heard from Stacy since the party but it's clear she's not forgotten about it. The looks Marie and I got when we were walking to class this morning are also proof enough that there are many more people who haven't forgotten it, and I'm sure the news of the drama we threw has made it's way around the school.

Stacy doesn't say anything for the entire class but at lunch she seems to have gathered enough courage to talk to us.

'About Saturday...' She starts, standing across from where we are sitting at a table. 'I'm sorry.'

'About what?' Marie says, but not in a way that says that she's forgiven Stacy, but more in a way that says that she wants Stacy to say it out loud.

Stacy is quiet for a second, as if she's debating leaving again but then she finally speaks. 'About lying to you. About the party.'

'Why did you not just tell us? And why did you decide to go anyway?' I ask her.

Stacy shrugs. 'I don't know. Sheila called and she said her brother was throwing a party. She kind of convinced me to go.'

Marie nods, a kind of hostile expression still plastered on her face. 'Okay.' She says. 'So you're best friends with Sheila now?'

'No!' Stacy says quickly. 'You guys are my best friends.'

'We're feeling pretty ignored, actually.' I tell her. 'You keep ditching us for Sheila. You lied to us to hang out with her.'

Stacy looks hurt but I don't care. It's the truth. 'And I'm sorry about it. It was a mistake.'

'I'm glad you see that yourself.' I say with raised eyebrows.

'Stacy!' Sheila calls from another table, waving at Stacy.

'That bitch has guts.' Marie grunts. It's meant to be for my ears only, but I can see that Stacy has heard it too. Stacy turns in Sheila's direction, clearly conflicted about what to do.

'So what is it going to be, Stacy?' Marie asks, leaning back in her chair. 'Are you going to walk over to Sheila's side?'

Suddenly, something seems to snap in Stacy. 'Maybe I will, Marie.' She snarls. 'Why can't you just try to be friends with Sheila? No, you immediately had to say that she's a bitch who manipulates people. Well, she isn't. I do what I want, no manipulation needed. At least she's not trying to dictate to me what to do, who to hang out with. And you go along with it, Kat. You didn't give her a chance either.' Without looking back, she strides in Sheila's direction. Sheila immediately rushes over to her for a 'concerned' hug, but over Stacy's shoulder, she gives a smug smile. I give her the finger in return. I gave her a chance but we didn't click, which was fine. But Stacy is just completely ignoring it, along with all the other signs that scream that Sheila is a manipulating bitch.

After school, Marie is picked up by Carter. They offer me a ride home, but I pass it up and take the bus instead. As I lean against the window, I try to make sense of what is going on with me and my friends.

Basically, both Marie and Stacy are being hypocrites. They are both not happy with each other's choice of (boy)friends and they are both bound to get hurt. I just don't know how I fit in here. And how I'm going to fix my friendships.