Our Differences

Chapter 6

Chloe's POV

"If you don't make things bad for dear Felicity, you might as well join her.... And kiss your sweet reputation goodbye." 

Those were the words Kristen told me yesterday while Jennifer and Mira were busy making fun of Felicity. Although I'm somewhat the leader, I guess I can be pretty easy to manipulate when it comes to people like my friends. You know, the snobbish, sensitive, easily-get-mad-at -your-every-mistake type. Yes, even though we seem like a bag full of sunshine together, we actually fight pretty often. But it was never my fault! 

So anyway, Kristen threatened me and I had no choice but to obey or lose my position in the cool kids clique. Today, as I arrived in my gleaming black limo, I found out that Kristen was sick and Mira was involved in a singing competition. It drove Kristen insane with jealousy when she found out that Mira was chosen and not her. Honestly, Kristen always thinks that she's the best even when she doesn't admit it. 

So anyway, Jennifer and I didn't really do much today. Jennifer was late to school (as usual) and I didn't want to bully anyone. It wasn't in my nature anyway. After school, Felicity came running up to me. 

"So.... Since most of your friends aren't here, wanna come over to my house?" Honestly, Felicity is like a six-year-old come to ask if I can play Barbie dolls with her. 

"Sure." I replied with a sweet smile and then  hoping that no one saw. If anyone saw me smiling to a nerd, my reputation is ruined.

After school, I made my way to Fe's house. On foot. Again. We discussed and worked together. I must admit, I had quite a lot of fun. Felicity's actually cooler than I thought. I started going to her house pretty often. In the past two weeks, I've been to her house 5 times already. 

My friends started being a little suspicious from the way they looked at me whenever I declined their invitation to hang out. I kept our friendship a total secret. We were getting pretty close and I invited her to my house one day.

I was filing my nails when I heard the sound of the doorbell ring loudly throughout the house. I scrambled down the stairs and saw my maid, Violet, at the door talking to Felicity. Felicity was wearing a black dress with brown boots and denim crop jacket. 

"Hi, I'm Felicity Bloom. I'm.... Uh.... Chloe's friend. She invited me here. May I.... Come in?" Violet nodded and stood aside. Fe stared around in awe at the grand mansion and admired every piece of designer furniture.

"Hey, Fe!" I greeted, cheerfully. 

"H-Hey there, Chloe...." she muttered, still spellbound by the enormous mansion. 

"Don't be intimidated by all this." I said, gesturing towards the fancy items on display. "We're actually a pretty modest household, really. Say, would you like to meet my parents?" 

"S-sure...." she stuttered. I could tell she was nervous. Why wouldn't she (or anyone) be? My parents are one of the most successful and well-known people in the city. Yet, they're super nice and humble. I have a feeling that Fe's in for a pleasant surprise.

My parents were watching TV in the sitting room. 

"Hey, mom and dad." I said. "Please meet Felicity Bloom, my.... Friend and and partner in the project I told you about." They looked up and gave her a warm smile. 

"Welcome, Felicity." mom said, getting up. "Would you like something to eat or drink?" Fe shook her head, eyes wide in awe at the young woman in front of her.

"Oh dear." mom said, putting a perfectly manicured hand on her chest. "Where are my manners? Forgive me. I'm Alice Gray, vice president of Chic & Co Fashion Industries. It's a pleasure to meet you. This is my husband, Alex Jefferson and president of Chic & Co." She gestured towards my father, a serious-looking man in a neat grey tux. Felicity just nodded. 

"I-I love your work." she said. Mom looked incredibly pleased. 

"Well, I'm glad. Now off you two go. And have fun!" 

I escorted Fe to my bedroom. She plopped onto my bed, fingering the posh silk comforter. I sat beside her and we chatted for a while. I guess I was too comfortable in her presence because I accidentally let my secret slip.

"You know...." she began. "Don't you think our school is kinda like something based off a fairy tale?" 

I raised my eyebrow. "Why'd you say that?" 

"I mean, exams are like magic mirrors. They determine who is the prettiest. Or rather, in this case, the smartest. The mean girls are like the evil queens and the mean jocks are like the evil queens' huntsmen. The nerds are like the damsels in distress who are treated cruelly by the 'evil queens'. And I guess we're like Beauty and the Beast, an unlikely pair who end up being really close. Except the beast is a girl. But you get my point." I nodded. What she said was pretty true.

We started talking about fairy tales and that was when I accidentally blurted out my secret. "You like reading, right?" I asked. 

"Yeah, duh." she replied, looking at me like I was stupid. 

"Right." I said. "What's your favorite book?" 

"Definitely Evermist." I smiled. 

"That's my favorite storybook too!" I immediately realized what I just said and quickly clapped a hand over my mouth, hoping she didn't hear me. No hope of that since I literally yelled those words in her face.

"You.... You...." she stuttered, her face filled with shock and disbelief. "You.... Read?" 

I nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed. Now she's going to laugh at me and tell the whole school what a big nerd I am. 

"But...." she said. "Cool kids dont read." 

I nodded. "There's something you should know about me." I began telling her about my secret. She stared at me the entire time, her mouth hanging wide open. When I finally finished, I braced myself for whatever she has to say.

"OMG, I love writing too!" she yelled in excitement." 

I smiled. "Oh my god, that's awesome!!" I yelled back. "I can't believe we have so much in common! But.... What about my secret?" 

"Don't worry." she finally said. "Your secret's safe with me." 

Now it was my turn to stare at her in shock. "But.... I was so mean to you. Aren't you going to.... Laugh?" 

She shook her head. "No. You have been pretty mean to me, I must say. But there is no reason for me to do the same. And anyway, you were mean to me for the sake of your reputation. You wouldn't have done that if you were given a choice." 

She smiled kindly at me. I gave her a big hug. "Thank you." I whispered.

That night, after Fe had left with my secret engraved in her heart, I stared at my ceiling. I always do that when I want to think. And this time, I have a lot to think about. 

I don't want to do this anymore. I thought. Its time for a change. Tomorrow, Fe and I will change the entire student body for good and show everyone that cliques don't matter.

A/N: Sorry to all my readers for not updating lately. I'll try to update more often.