How to be a Bida

Step 5: Have A Reliable Sidekick

"Good morning Elle," I greeted cheerfully the moment I saw her by her locker with her bangs covering a quarter of her face.

It's been a month and Tony's relationship with this girl is still going strong. I've tried my hardest to come in between them and nothing worked.

This includes, accidentally running into them in the movies during their date, sitting in the middle while watching movies, unintentionally running into them during their breakfast/lunch/dinner dates, timing my visits to Tony's place at the same time his girl friend does, wearing Tony's sweater whenever she'd come over, watch him offer his sweater to her when she feels cold and act cold to steal that sweater and then jealously witness Tony envelop her in a hug to warm themselves.

All my evil plans seems to backfire and, I believe it made them closer to each other.

"Good morning Victoria," she greeted back with that gentle smile of hers unbeknownst to her the effect of calling me by my full name. I was about to correct her but she was already saying some nonsense before I could even begin.

"Why do you say my name like that?" She asked with that friendly tone I've come to hate. Her kindness pisses me off, like I want to hate her but I can't because it makes me feel evil.

"But you told me to call you Elle," I replied, confused at what she's getting at.

"Not Elle, Elle." She said but I honestly don't see the difference.

"Elle," I said not seeing the difference in pronunciation as she pointed out earlier.

"What's up?" I heard Tony say coming up behind me and then rested his right arm on top of my head. I get it, I'm short but why do people feel entitled to make me a glorified arm rest? "What are you doing terrorizing my girl friend this early in the morning?" He asked me as he ruffles my oh so perfect hair.

I swatted his arm and moved closer to Danielle away from Tony's evil grasp and ignored the stab of pain I felt on my chest when he referred to Danielle as his girl friend. It's not like he's lying, she is his girl friend, I just wish that it was me instead of her.

I watched them interact naturally, as if I wasn't around. Feeling awkward, I willed for someone, anyone to save me from this situation I'm in. Where's Bree when you need her?

"Are you coming over again tonight?" I heard Tony ask which quickly gained my attention. She frequently comes over at night? That's news to me.

"You visit his house at night?" I asked in disbelief which earned a nasty look from Tony.

"It's not what you think, she comes over and cooks for me." Tony explained and my jaw just dropped open. I can't cook!

Danielle: 10

Ria: 0.

"It started after the study session we had. It seemed so lonely living alone and I noticed a lot of fast food wrappers in Tony's garbage bin so I thought I'd make him something decent to eat. A good samaritan act to the needy," Danielle elaborated in great detail, details I didn't ask for.

Before I could form a snarky remark, the bell rang. I was about to ask Danielle to walk with me to class since we have Chemistry together now that the block orders have changed, but the couple already went ahead and I watch them weave through the crowd, hand in hand.

Tears threatened to fall, but I pushed them back. I'm a strong independent woman who don't cry for nobody. I won't ever waste my tears on anyon-

"What are you doing standing there looking pathetic like a little kid who's candy got stolen from her?" I heard Bree said from behind me and I couldn't help it, the tears fell.

"Aubrey," I cried out in the middle of the hallway. Of course it gathered some unwanted attention from onlookers but they were smart enough to keep walking and not make a big fuss about it.

I crushed Bree in a hug burying my face on her shoulder and enjoyed the way she flinch. She has never been a hugger, in fact she hates physical contact but seem to pity me enough to allow it for today. No longer than five seconds have passed when Bree started to push me away and I lifted my tear stained face to meet hers in a desperate act of plea to skip school with me.

"No, I'm not skipping. I just got here for Pete's sake." She replied to my silent request. I honestly could not phantom how she could resist my puppy dog face. Even Tony couldn't.

"Can you stop crying? People would think I'm the worst human being around for making her friend cry." She commented wiping my face dry with a handkerchief she always carry around with her. If you're a sidekick of a heroine, bringing anything that could be used to wipe their tears with is a must.

"Why are you crying anyway?" She asked when I finally stopped.

"Danielle called me Victoria," I wailed loudly and the tears started to fall again catching one of the vice principal's attention and she started to walk towards our way.

Embarrassed, Bree glanced around and when she sees what is about to happen she placed the hanky on my hand and started to walk away mumbling, "I'm going to class."

"Bree wait for me," I started to call after her retreating figure when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I slowly turned and came face to face with Ms. Brandy's stout figure.

"Ms. Valdez, you're early for tomorrow's class." She said implying that I'm too late for class when the bell literally rang three minutes ago. I could still ran to class and be on time.

Unable to think of a response, I used my tears to my advantage. I told Ms. Brandy how another girl is trying to take over my role as a heroine and made me cry by calling me by my full name and ran leaving a very confused Ms. Brandy behind. It's better this way, and before she realizes what just happened, I'm already safe in the confines of my class.