A Blooming Beauty

Chapter 6

The next few days of school were hell. I had to avoid Carter and his disappointing looks and hand Monica the victory she doesn't deserve. Every time He looks at me and looks away I could see Monica, sneering at me and flirting with him. It was disgusting. Apart from that, I seemed to be so sad that Beth and Jess keep bugging me to tell them why.

Thank God It's Friday.

"It's Carter isn't it." Jess finally said.

"Fuck no." I say smoothly.

"Definitely." She mumbled again.

"That's absolutely ridiculous guys." I said forcing out a fake laugh.

"As if Blair, we can totally see in your eyes that you're lying to us." Beth said, not looking up from her book.

"Beth you're not even looking." I scoff at her.

"I don't need to look Blair. It's obvious that it's him anyway, I'm just waiting until you tell us what happened."

"It isn't Carter!" I say louder than usual. "I have other life problems too you know!"

"SHHHH" the librarian hissed at us.

"Sorry." I mouthed.

I look back at the two and they're both giving me that 'yeah right' face.

"Fine. It IS Carter. Happy?" I said looking at my book. "Christ guys am I really that easy to read?"

"Sort of, but we also noticed the looks he's been giving you." Beth said.

"I bet Monica's pretty glad to see that." I said mumbling.

"That bitch? Blair, what's she got to do with this?" Jess said rather loudly.

"SSHHHHH" the librarian hissed at her louder than the first.

"Oops sorry." Jessica whispered. "Screw it Blair would you just tell us?"

I told them the story of how Monica threatened to hurt my ass if I hung out with Carter ever again. Which was kinda sad because we could've became really good friends.

"That bitch!" Jess said.

"Ladies, if you're not going to read in a library then you might as well go someplace else." The librarian said to us. We apologized and ran outside laughing our heads off.

"Nice going smartass." I say laughing.

"But really Blair, you have to start standing up for yourself." Jess said as we walked out of study hall. "You can't just let everyone step over you like a doormat."

She was right. Everyone did step all over me, and the worst part was that I let them. I know it needed to stop, and I kept telling myself every time, but the fact that I was at the bottom of the ladder on the social scale brought down my self esteem.

"I know. I really want to but frankly, I can't." I said as we approached my locker.

"And why is that?" Beth replied.

"Well... Because... I don't know. I just can't." I said stuffing my things in my bag.

Jessica and Bethany both looked at each other and smirked. Fuck.

"Hell no." I say taking a step back.

"It will be fun!" Beth says hugging me. "Totally!" Jess added as I groaned.

Since school was about to end in a few minutes I decided to use my phone and surprisingly I had 1 missed call.

It was pretty much the horror film heart attack when I saw who the caller was. If you're thinking of Carter Andrews then you're wrong. I wish.

I was not about to call that guy and apologize to him because Monica was sitting pretty near me. Ever since Monday, she's been watching me like a hawk, making sure that Carter and I were separated 24/7.

"We should have a sleepover tonight." I say to them.

"OMG yes!" Jessica says excitedly. "I'm bringing the ice scream and popcorn!"

"I'm bringing the movies and magazines!" Beth replied.

"I'm bringing... Uhmm... Well I'll provide the house I guess..." I say giggling.

We all went to the ice cream shop downtown for food (Beth using her bike, Jess using her scooter and Me, using my board) and for later's snacks. Hey a sleepover is suppose to be fun!

And what better way to have fun than to stuff your face and pig out!

Anyway, as we arrived at the ice cream shop, I felt my phone vibrate and the caller ID did not make me smile.

"Crap guys! He's calling!" I said panicking.

"Fuck Blair! You gave him your number??" Beth said.

"Well it was before the incident!! What the hell do I do!?"

"Answer it." Jess said nonchalantly.

"Wait what?" Beth and I both say in unison.

"Just do it. Trust me." I shrugged and did as told.

A few minutes later, after Carter had called, I entered the ice cream shop to find my two friends throwing to mama jokes at each other while eating the ice cream.

"Safe some for the sleepover guys, eeeish." I say laughing.

"Blair!" Beth says. "What'd he say?? Do I need to release my karate skills on that douchebag?" She says standing up.

"He said he straightened it up with Monica. I don't know how he knew but..." I say trailing off. "Wait a damn second.... The fuck Jess? You told him?" I said realizing how Carter managed to find out.

"Monica insulted you so much and you couldn't get back at her. So I thought why not? It's just a little boost anyway." She said winking at me. "Monica said YOU should stay away. She said nothing about me."

I broke into a big smile and hugged her. "You're such a good friend Jess! But seriously though, lay off the ice cream will you? There's barely enough left for later." I said chuckling.

"Jess is right Blair. You need to start standing up for yourself." Beth agreed. "You're like the cowardly lion in need of courage!"

"Nice analogy Beth. That totally helped." I said sarcastically.

"We need to teach you how to act around boys!" Jessica said.

"And you have the experience? As if!" I said laughing.

"In fact we do." Jessica replied.

"No. You don't. You've never even crushed in anyone yet!" I snapped.

"At least I don't stutter to every single person outside my circle of friends!" She snapped back.

"Touché." I say folding my arms.

"That isn't the point! Blair you need to know how to talk to people! How to socialize!" Beth scolded. "And WE have to teach you." She said grabbing Jessica's arm.

"Jesus Christ no." I say backing up. "I'm not doing this."