Our Differences

Chapter 12

Chloe's POV

I know I messed up that day. Big time. But I never thought Felicity could be such a jerk after that. It's not that I expect her to forgive me all the time whenever I do something wrong. But I never expected her to be so.... Rude. She's changed. A lot. Her tone when she talked to me was so full of anger that it didn't sound like Felicity at all. Not the Felicity I know, anyway. 

When Jill's old friends, Grace and Bella talked to her, she just brushed them off and looked pretty annoyed. She didn't raise her hand a single time during class, unlike before. I'm worried for her. Is it all my fault that she's become like this? All because of one little mistake? I sighed. 

I went home, guilt digging its way into my heart. It's all your fault. I kept telling myself. I ate my lunch and continued writing. 

I was using a writing social media app when I got notified that I had a new follower called littlegreenbean. Their stories were actually really amazing. So I followed them back. I started commenting on their stories regularly like how they commented on mine. I felt happy to know that someone likes my story and can relate to it.

Next day at school wasn't the best. It was awful, in fact. It all started when I was talking to my new group of friends when I heard an ear-piercing scream coming from further down the hallway. I didn't need to walk any further to know who that was. All six of us (Vixen, Mia, Anna, Drew, Luanne and myself, of course) rolled our eyes. 

"Kristen." We said in unison. Her scream was so loud it could be heard a mile away. 

We walked over to her locker to see what all the commotion was about. 

"What's going on, Kris?" Jennifer said, as she and Mira ran up to 

her. Kristen was having a massive meltdown. "Someone stole my white Versace dress!" She wailed. 

She whipped around. "You." She said, pointing at me.

I stared at her in shock and rage. "Excuse me?!" I said. 

"Don't deny it, Chlo." She said, glaring at me. "I know more about you than you think I do. And if there's one thing I know about you, it's that you're a horrible, rotten thief!" 

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Me? A thief?! 

"Name me one time I was a thief." I challenged, crossing my arms. 

"How's about that one time you stole my ruby red lipstick?" She said, smirking.

I was so mad at her I could explode. "That was my lipstick, you jerk!" I yelled. 

"You stole it from me. You were the thief." She stared at me in shock. I could recognize that look anywhere. That fake shock expression she makes to make people think she's innocent when she's the real culprit.

"That was mine, you liar!" She screamed. "How dare you try to frame me!" 

I was so sick of Kristen and her lies I could just scream until the entire building collapses. 

"More like the other way around." I said, my voice and body trembling from rage. 

I felt Luanne lay her hand on my shoulder in comfort. "Easy there, Chloe," she whispered. "Don't let her make you mad. That's what she's trying to do now. We'll back you up, don't worry." 

I nodded, glad to know someone was there for me. A group of students were gathering around us, wondering what all the commotion was about. Felicity was there but she continued walking after glancing at us for a minute or two. 

"What makes you think I stole it?" I asked. "You have no proof."

"Well, I know how badly you wanted that dress." She said. 

"I don't even know how it looks like." I said. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and showed me a picture of the lovely white lace dress that I've been asking Kristen to lend me. 

"Okay, fine," I admitted. "I do want that dress. But you've already lent it to me. What makes you think I took it again?" 

"Well, duh," she said, looking at me as though I was stupid. "Like I said before, you're a nasty, little thief. And two, you want my dress. You said that you really loved it but you didn't want to spend any money on it because it was too expensive. So I'm guessing you stole it. No, I know you stole it. Give it back to me and I won't tell anything to Mr. Edgar (our principal)." 

I looked at her suspiciously. "And how would I know if you'd keep that promise?" I asked. 

"I've never broken a single promise in my entire life." She said, smiling proudly. 

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, you have." 

"Give it back. This time, I pinkie swear." I looked at my friends. They shrugged. 

"Don't make up stupid stories, Kristen," Mia said. 

"You're lying, I know. Chloe would never steal from anyone. Not even an awful jerk like you." 

"Mia's right," Drew agreed. "Chloe would never do something like that. She's honest and nice, unlike you." 

Kristen clenched her fists. "Alright then," she said. "You asked for it. If you're not going to tell the truth and give me back what is mine, then I'll have to report you." 

"But I'm already being honest. I didn't take it!" I said. 

"I've given you plenty of chances. I don't care what you say anymore. Until you produce my dress, I'll have to report you to Mr. Edgar." She stomped off with her friends behind her.

Me and my friends walked off, hoping Mr. Edgar would be reasonable enough to not be too harsh on us. Five minutes later, we were sent to Mr. Edgar's office. "Kristen has informed me that you stole her designer dress from her locker. Is that true?" 

"No, it isn't." I said. 

"Um, Mr. Edgar," Anna put in. "There is no possible way that Chloe could have stolen it. I saw Kristen unlocking her locker which means that it was locked in the first place. Chloe couldn't have stolen the dress." 

"I might have told Chloe my locker code when we were still BFFs." Kristen admitted, pretending to be embarrassed. Honestly, all these fake expressions just make me want to puke. 

"You shouldn't have done that." Mr. Edgar said, grimly. "Don't do it again. Looks like we'll have to change your locker code." He interrogated me more and I denied knowing anything about the dress's disappearance. 

Mr. Edgar got up and walked to class. He searched through my bag and there, to my horror, was Kristen's white Versace dress. "Well, what do you have to say to that, Miss Jefferson?" Mr. Edgar asked, sternly. 

"I-I...." I was so shocked I was at a lost for words. "Well, looks like you'll be serving detention after school. Good day, Chloe." And he walked off without another word. That was when it dawned on me. 

"You did this." I said, glaring coldly at Kristen. "You put your dress in my bag and framed me for it because you were mad that I was having a great time not being a cool kid and not being super depressed like you expected. Didn't you?" 

"So what if I did?" She said, smiling devilishly and walking off, bumping her shoulders against mine on purpose on her way out. I glared after her. That girl is just pure evil.