Good girls don't get caught

Mr. Clyde's class

I wish Oceans 8 was mine but it isn't, the only thing I own is the storyline. 

Tammy has always done what others have expected her to do, so it was no surprise when she showed up to class with her lit paper ready to turn in early. She walked up to the front desk to turn it in when she saw the mysterious brunette watching her. Blushing she dropped the paper and walked quickly to her desk not understanding why the girl was still watching her. Getting her book out for their open book discussion she stared intently at her boring brown desk until the teacher walked in. Glancing the brunettes way Tammy tried to remember her name but she couldn't even remember ever seeing her in this class. 'Is she new here?' She thought. She was so wrapped up in her head she didn't hear the previous question until her teacher asked what they thought of women's influence in literature.

"I think its stupid how women don't get a voice in literature until women became writers. And even then they weren't perceived as educated because women were never allowed to have a voice. Hell even recently J.K Rowling had to go by her initials because of how sexist the literature world is and it's only been maybe 20 years since the first book came out. Women didn't have any influence unless they went by a man's name or they didn't become influential until long after they died. The only time a woman has influenced anything in literature has been when they were written as a damsel in distress or they were some kind of whore for the men to use. At least now some women aren't perceived that way." The mysterious brunette responded causing the teacher and most of the other students to stare in disbelief while Tammy stared in wonder.

"Yes, well thank you Miss Ocean." Turning back to the rest of the class, " Would anyone else like to add onto that?" Raising her hand, Tammy spoke up, "I believe she had a point that women weren't big influencers in a positive way because of how sexist the world is, especially the literature world, but I think that now women aren't always known as the damsel in distress or a harlot. Women have evolved from being perceived as weak to strong individuals who can take care of themselves. I believe that literature has helped that evolution by showing women they don't need to lay back and let others think that way of them but instead take charge and make that change for themselves. I believe literature has influenced women not the other way around." Finishing she was awarded with a small smile from her teacher and an impressed smirk from Ocean.

The bell rang shortly after and Tammy gathered her belongings when a shadow appeared over her desk. Looking up she noticed it was the brunette, " Hi, how may I help you?" She asked. Standing, she picked up her bag and waited for a response. "Hey I'm Debbie and you can help me by agreeing to become my partner in the project were starting next week." Tammy thought about it for a moment before nodding. "Sure, but I hope you don't mind if we work at the library instead of my place on it. My parents don't like people over when they're having guests over." Biting her lip she looked at Debbie as they walked to the math hallway. "Thats all right with me Tam-Tam, we can work at my place if you'd like. Why don't you sit with me and my friends at lunch today and we can figure out a schedule next week." Debbie said with a finality that left no room to argue. Nodding they said their goodbyes as Tammy walked into her class and Debbie went to hers before the bell rang.

Two hours later Tammy was following Debbie to a table filled with six other girls eating. Sitting between Debbie and Lou, who she didn't know was friends with the brunette. "Hey kiddo, how've you been? I didn't know you were sitting with us now." Lou laid her arm casually across her shoulders. Smiling at the blond Tammy felt better instantly, "Yea we were just going over our project for next week and she offered I sit with her to discuss it." Feeling the older blond pull her closer Tammy leaned her head on her shoulder before noticing the others at the table staring at them with wide eyes. Feeling uncomfortable she sat up straight and tried hard not to blush for allowing herself to become so comfy leaning into Lou. Biting her lip and staring at the table she missed the unspoken conversation between the two girls she was sat between and the glare they gave the rest of the table.

Lou who knew Tammy from softball always new the girl was self-conscious about how she behaved or looked around others and knew that it took a lot for the girl to trust others. So when she leaned her head on Lou she felt extremely happy she had the young blond's trust.  When she pulled away though, she felt anger at the others for staring and anger at the girl's upbringing for making her feel like she couldn't feel comfortable around the older blond. When Debbie looked at her she knew what she was thinking, 'how are we going to get her to open up to us?' and 'What did those parents of hers ingrain in her head?' To which Lou gave her a look that simply said, ' let her see us for how we are she'll come around.' After their silent understanding they both glared at the other occupants of the table until they got the hint and resumed eating. 

Turning her body towards the younger blond Lou grabbed her head and made her look back at her. "What are you thinking about sweetie?" Knowing that term of endearment would get her looks from everyone else she kept her focus on the girl. "It's okay to lean on me. No one here is going to judge you okay? You are safe her with all of us, and we will protect you from anything and everything. So you can lay your head back on her or Debbie if you want. No one will judge or say anything at this table." Staring intently into Tammy's eyes Lou tried to portray every sincere word through her own eyes. Finally receiving a nod Lou let go of Tammy's face and turned her body back towards her food. 

Feeling a hand on her arm she looked over and saw Tammy mouth 'thank you' to her which she responded with a big smile and a wink. Causing the other girl to blush and Debbie to smirk. Looking back at the other girls she nodded subtly at them to let them know they can talk now. 

"So Tammy, how are you?" Rose asked while taking a bite of her food causing some of it to drop. Laughing at the senior Tammy smiled, "I'm well, I'm actually a bit anxious about tonight but knowing my parents I won't have time to think once I get home so hopefully everything will be okay." Earning a few questionable looks she bit her lip and blushed. "My parents host gatherings every Thursday for their friends and tonights gathering is where my father is announcing his new position in his company. He expects them to host a banquet in his honor next week while they go out of country with them." Getting more confused stares she blushes and tries to explain again. "My family is the kind where they like to show off what they have and what they have is perfect. Nothing is to be out of place which is why I'm so nervous because if I don't do my job in impressing everyone with my accomplishments while he raves about his, then he doesn't think he'll get the banquet which is a huge deal for him. And I'm sorry, I'm talking way too much and you probably don't wish to hear it so I'm just going to be quiet now." Nodding once she looked back a the table and felt her lip bleeding from how hard she was biting it. 

"So basically if you don't look and act perfect he'll get upset that he didn't get the banquet because he thinks it'll be your fault. Damn girl, that's so fucked up. That's a lot of pressure for you to carry." The only sophomore at the table responded. "I mean that's so messed up for him to be pressuring you to act perfect when you're only a kid." Feeling Lou wrap her arms around her she leaned in slightly before she realized what she was doing and stopped completely. But when she felt Debbie put her arm around her she froze and didn't breath for fear of feeling someone she didn't know touch her. "It's okay sweetie, it's okay just breath." The unmistakeable voice of Debbie ocean breathed in her ear. "You're okay. She asked and you answered honestly. Thats all that happened and no one is upset with you that you answered that way." Nodding Tammy took a shuttering breath and looked back at the rest of the occupants. 

"It really is, but it's okay I'm used to it. I'm sorry I don't know your name." Tammy smiled apologetically. Feeling arms rest easily on her shoulders and the back of her chair Tammy felt comforted. "It's Constance, I'm the youngest but most mature of the group" She replied as she made a funny face causing Tammy to laugh. "I'll remember that when I need someone to turn to for advice." She replied jokingly knowing she wouldn't be turning to anyone, as did all the others. "You know we haven't introduced anyone to you. So let's do that now." She heard Lou say. "The girl to Debbie's left is Daphne, she's junior. Next to her is Rose, she's a senior then you have Leslie but we all call her nine ball, she's a junior as well. Then constance and finally Amita, she's s junior as well. You know me and Debbie so thats about it for our little group." Lou said smiling. 

Glancing at everyone Tammy felt a need to question why they were all sitting together when she knows for a fact they're all in different activities and social groups. "Why are you all sitting together? None of you are in the same groups outside of lunch so why only at lunch?" After voicing her question she earned a few chuckles and snorts. "So no one decided to tell her she was sitting with the lesbians of the school?" Constance's joking voice echoed over to her.