The Fangirls

Chapter 1: THE ADDICTION

I was 10 years old when I first noticed Leslie's obsessive and destructive behaviour. It was Katie's, one of our classmates', birthday. Katie's mum had just died and it was a sensitive time. Her grandparents and father had hoped a special birthday would cheer her up. This news didn't stop Leslie though. She wanted the biggest slice of cake, wanted to win all the party games and wanted to be the one to smash the piñatas' head right off. And if she didn't, boy did she cry and scream. I remember her wails as Katie's dad cut her the biggest slice. I remember the envy as Katie sat and opened her presents. I also remember her spitting in Katie's drink before handing it to her. She was so nasty, even back then.

It was from then, at 10 years old, that I vowed I would never be friends with Leslie again. I was better than that. I was kind and caring, all the things she wasn't. But she sucks you back in, she always does. Leslie has that power, you see, you hate her but she can make you feel so special and good, that you almost can't help yourself.

It was the Monday after the party and I told myself no more Leslie. All it took, however, was one "I like your shoes and your hair looks super pretty" comment, for me to sit right on the bench next to her. I was only 10, though. I was fickle and naive. I couldn't stand the thought of having no friends and Leslie could make that happen. I thought I'd change. Seems I've always been fickle and naive through, because 11 years on, and I'm still at her beck and call. Not for the same reasons, though. A pretty comment doesn't have the same effect on me as it once did. No, Leslie has a hold on me, a secret no one can ever know. And if it means being her friend to keep it, then that's just the way it has to be.

I think Leslie's obsession with the band started when they first came to our city 4 years ago when we were 17. Her mum managed win three tickets from a radio show to see the band perform with only like 20 other people. 'Take My Apology' were just at the beginning of their fame, not many people had heard of them. They'd become famous on YouTube and Leslie, although I know she's lying, claims she was their first ever follower. Sure. I was excited to see them play, but was never really the kind of girl to go crazy over bands. Admittedly, they were four cute guys, but so were the guys in our class; they just weren't that special to me. Leslie, however, was the exact opposite. I remember sitting on her bed 1 week before their performance, as Leslie tried on what must've been over 50 outfit combinations. A tight top and tiny skirt, a short body on dress and denim jacket. It was crazy. I hadn't even thought about anything like that yet. She strutted around in her push up bra hugging her boobs together and got very frustrated if something didn't look perfect.

"Why do you even care?" I asked Leslie, after her tenth breakdown that evening.

"I wanna look hot," she responded, pushing her boobs together in her bra to make them look bigger.

"It's not like they're going to date us Leslie," I responded, chuckling to myself at the prospect of me dating a famous rock star.

"Look Alex," Leslie started, "you may set your sights on a local farmer or boring lawyer, but I'm aiming higher."

I didn't even flinch at her words or feel anything. I was so used to these kind of comments from Leslie that they didn't even cause a reaction anymore.

"I thought you liked Noah anyway," I said, referring to Leslie's recent crush, a member of our school's football team.

"Ew no, he's so last week. You really need to keep up Alex," she snapped back at me.

She eventually settled on a tight black mini skirt, crop top and wedge heels, something completely extra for the event. I wore a simple T-shirt and skinny jeans. It was just what I felt better in.

When we arrived at the radio station, we were told to stand behind the cameras and stay quiet as we watched them perform. Leslie tried everything she could to get their attention. She sang along to their songs, so they had to do a retake, and kept pushing her boobs together to enhance her cleavage. Nothing really worked at all. The guys were so focused on their performance. After their final take, we were ushered out quickly and handed a signed band poster, which Leslie still has on her wall today.

I could see the disappointment in Leslie's face the whole car journey home. She truly thought she was going to get asked out by one of the band members and married one year later. For the first time ever, she barely uttered a word the whole way back. Maybe she felt embarrassed, but I doubt it.

When we got back though, she was back to her old self, with that evil glint in her eye I'm so familiar with. I could tell she was thinking ways of getting revenge on the boys and plotting her actions.

"What's up Lez?" I asked her, wanting the intel. She just smiled at me in a cunning way and flicked her hair. Then she began, saying the words that she would live by for the next 4 years.

"You see Alexa, no one says no to me. I'm going to find that band again and I am, I swear it, I'm going to marry that lead singer." And with that, strutted out the room.

From that, that singular moment, I knew Leslie would not stop until she had him right in the palm of her hand.