Ugly Girl

Chapter Twenty

Zoey's Dress, hair, and shoes: http://www.polyvore.com/prom_set/set?id=49865559#fans

Chapter Twenty: Zoey

                “I really like this dress,” Beth Jones said, holding up a skimpy, hot pink dress; one that showed off not only her navel, but her boobs as well. “I have a pair of silver stilettos that would look great with this!” She then turned to me, “Now, let’s get you something. It can’t be as pretty as mine though, I will be prom queen after all.”

                Normally, I would have been mad but Beth’s interpretation of pretty was slutty so I was fine with having something less slutty. While Beth went to try on her whore dress, I flipped through rack after rack, trying to find something nice and in my price rage. Unfortunately, Beth took me to one of the most expensive places in our small town. And then I saw my escape; the clearance section!

                Slinking over like a cat, I flipped through the large array of cheaper dresses. Most of them looked disgusting, with clothes the color of last year. And then I found it, it was absolute perfection. I had the perfect silver heels to match the aqua color. I ran a hand over the teal ruffles and silver sparkles, I need this dress! I knew it was meant for me. It was in my price range and my exact size. It as a sign from the heavens that I needed this dress!

                Quickly, to make sure Beth didn’t see it, I paid and managed to sneak it off to my car before Beth emerged from the changing rooms. She strutted out into the small boutique, posing in front of the mirror. Even though she looked similar to a street walker, she looked gorgeous. “That looks amazing on you!” I gasped.

                She smiled slyly, “I know,” she tossed her long dark hair to the side, “I’m going to get it.”

                When Beth disappears back into the dressing room to change into her previous outfit, I hear an all-too-familiar laugh sound from the other side of the boutique. I quickly duck behind a rack of dresses ad peak in between two fluffy dresses, trying my best to peer at Ally.

                She stands next to Johnny who leans down and says something to her, making her laugh again. Something suddenly surges through me, jealousy? No, longing to hang out with them again. My eyes blur for a moment, the way they always do when I’m about to cry. I watch as Johnny leans down again and kisses her, smiling through the kiss. I want what they have.

                “Are you ready to go?” Beth says, breaking me out of my stalker-like state.

                “Yeah,” I say a little too quickly and loudly. She doesn’t notice though because a few seconds later, we’re leaving the small dress store. I take one last glance at Johnny and Ally, wishing to be with them instead of Beth Jones.

~Riley~

                It was Wednesday and my heart was already pounding, nervous for the events that will unfold Saturday. I stare blankly out of Johnny’s car as he drives the four of us, Mace, Ally, Johnny, and I, to the beach. According to Ally, I have to work on my tan a little more. I apparently look like a ghost.

                Since it was a week day, the nearest beach was relatively empty. Only a few adults milled around, drinking beers and lounging around lazily. As soon as our feet hit the sand, Johnny grabs Ally fireman style and takes off for the water, leaving Mace and I to bring the towels and chairs to an appropriate place.

                When everything is set up, I notice Mace sits quietly in a beach chair, staring off at the horizon. I don’t need to ask him to know what’s up.

                “Mace,” I say with a loud sigh, “I know you liked Lizzy and I know what she did was wrong but look at you! You’re tearing yourself up over something you had no control over. There had to be a reason behind Lizzy betraying us like that.”

                Mace is quiet for a moment, something rather unusual for his naturally loud demeanor. He finally lets out a sad, pitiful sigh, “I asked her why she did it. And she was honest to me. She did it for power.” He rubs his weary eyes and turns to me, “Lizzy always wanted to be popular. I don’t know why it matters so much to her. She wanted to be one of the Ally’s or Beth’s so when Beth came to her, telling her about this deal, she said yes.”

                “What deal?”

                “If she told Beth everything Johnny and Ally said, she would make Lizzy almost as popular as Beth herself. She would never do it, of course. I thought Lizzy was smarter than that.”

                I study Mace carefully; he sighs again and stares off at the water again. “If you really want to be with her, make it happen. Johnny and Ally won’t care, as long as you’re happy they’re happy.”

                Mace turns to me in the cheap chair, smiling for the first time in while. “Maybe you’re right.”

                A laugh, “I know I am.”