Southern Belles

Chapter Six

Chapter Six – Southern Belle Rule #2: Respect Your Elders

            Cara VanDere smiled to herself as she reapplied her lip-gloss in the girl’s bathroom. She was having an extraordinary day. Her makeup looked on point, her hair wasn’t frizzing as it usually did in the hot, Brantley air. Her dress made her appear to be twenty pounds lighter and her skin was glowing. Everything was good today. Wednesday was starting out to be a great day. At least, that was what she thought before Isabelle shoved the bathroom door opened.

            Lately, she had been avoiding Cara. It was obvious since Isabelle stopped texting and calling Cara back. Cara had to have left ten messages on her phone since Sunday when she leaving with Savannah. Cara had thought it was because she didn’t invite her to the party, which was childish. If Izzy was honestly offended about not being invited, she should have just said something about it. What was the point of being mad at someone especially if that someone didn’t know why you are mad at them? Cara was ready to move on. Isabelle was the closest friend and without her, she was stuck either by herself or with Savannah, both were boring.

            “Hey Izzy,” said Cara. She turned away from the mirror to face a stunned, but composed Isabelle.

            “Ew, gross it’s Cara,” she said in a bored voice. She went to the mirror next to Cara and pulled out her makeup bag.

            Cara raised an eyebrow she wasn’t even worth both. “What’s with the attitude, friend?” She spat at the word ‘friend’. Why was Isabelle acting to mean? “You have been avoiding me lately. Why?”

            “I really want you to stop.”

            “Stop what?”

            “Stop pretending to be my friend. Stop pretending to be Jazmyn’s friend. We all know you used her at your party. You don’t really care about her. All you want to do is show everyone that video. And don’t act like you don’t know what video I am talking about, because you do.” Isabelle’s blonde hair was in a high ponytail that showed more of her face growing red. “You want to pretend that you are our friend, but you aren’t. I bet you don’t even know what a friend looks like.”

            “I am your friend, Izzy. You should know that by now. And as for that video, that is known of your business so you better keep your mouth shut about it.”

            “Why, Cara, should I have to lie to Jazmyn while Kyle and his rookies laugh at her?”

            “It isn’t your business,” said Cara through clenched teeth. She flipped her curls back trying to maintain her composure. How did Isabelle find out about the video? It had only been out for a couple of days. Kyle had to be showing it off to his friends like the ignoramus he is. Cara took in a deep breathe cooling her temper. It wasn’t pretty to be angry.

            “You are so cruel, Cara. God, you don’t even care for that girl. I can’t even continue the conversation anymore.” Isabelle whirled around and burst through the bathroom door. Cara followed after her not wanting to look like the idiot who gotten blown off. She followed Isabelle down the halls. The bell to lunch had rung releasing hungry teens.

            This was not a good time to make a scene but Cara couldn’t help it. “So that’s it. You’re just going to brush me off like that. I didn’t know my shadow had backbone.”

            Isabelle tensed at the word shadow. She slowly faced Cara and Cara could tell she had crossed a line that she would never be able undo. “There’s the truth. You never thought of me as a friend. You thought of me as a shadow and not a friend. I guess everyone was right. I was your shadow. I would follow you anywhere you go. Well, you know what? I don’t want to be your shadow or anyone’s shadow. We’re done here.” Isabelle blurred within the crowd of students that had emerged from their classrooms. They had all seen it.