Dream On Fire

IV

Chapter Four

  The next morning I ended up waking up late, so when I say that I got dressed in the dark, I mean that very literally. It was until I got into my car when I realized just how crazy I looked.  a messy bun with a navy blue sweater and black leggings— cute. Not.

  I pull into Vice Centrals parking lot and actually manage to get a parking spot. I think, actually I hope today won't be as eventful as yesterday. I sincerely believe that the incident with the Vogue models was a one time thing, Wesley was just being nice. What's a group of freakishly handsome boys gotta do with an average looking girl? Exactly, nothing. Completely nothing.

  I sigh and get out of my car. Just before I make it to the entrance, I see Veronica and her monster bitches come towards me. I roll my eyes and mentally prepare myself for whatever they've got to say to me.

  "Oh look who it is." Veronica says as she finishes approaching me. Her sidekick Alexandra backs her up by following up her snarky comment with a super annoying laugh.

  "What could you possibly want from me this early in the morning?" I scoff. Veronica opens her mouth to say something to me before her eyes focus in on something behind me. Or more appropriately, someone.

  "Sterling!" She squeals as she rocks on her heels like some love struck brat in a cheesy romance movie. I hold myself back from gagging. Sterling walks up to us, eyeing me. Please Sterling, remove your steel gaze from me.

  "What do you want?" He sneers at her. I feel a little frightened, whereas his mean demeanor seems to pull Veronica in closer. She bats her false eyelashes at him several times. Gross.

  "I was just telling Sage about how homeless she looks today." Veronica says with a laugh at the end. She points her red painted finger at me. I frown at her and look down at myself. I mean, I might not be dressed for a beauty pageant like her but homeless? Really? Come on now.

  "Shut up Veronica, she looks fine." Sterling says. My eyes widen in surprise at his unexpected white knighting towards me. Veronica's cheeks turn red, but I'm truly confused as to how it's even visible due to how much foundation she cakes on.

  I mentally am high fiving myself for that one.

  "Well she certainly isn't pretty enough to be talking to us, that's for sure." Veronica says before flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. I roll my eyes and am tired of holding my tongue.

  "Okay listen Barbie, I woke up late and quite frankly, I'm not here to impress anyone. I don't give a fuck. Now if you'll excuse me, I have class to get too. Because, well, ya know, I have brains unlike you and your soulless tribe of cake faced morons." I say with a final huff and shove my way past her. Are people watching us? Most definitely. Do I care? Not at all.

  As I make it to my locker, I'm bombarded by Haley and her bubbly energy. I love that girl, but it's 8:00 a.m.

  "Okay so for one, whatever just went down was amazing." Haley says and I give her a side smile while continuing to unload my locker. "Also, what's the deal with Sterling and his gang? Are they like your friends now or something?" I look at her and slam my locker shut with a loud bang. Friends? Definitely not.

  "Um," I bite my bottom lip as I try to think of something to say "I wouldn't say I'm friends with any of them. I think they just try to be friendly towards me." Haley looks at me skeptically and I narrow my eyes at her. We walk down the hall together.

  "I mean I'm just saying, everyone knows how reserved Sterling is, and the only time Wesley talks to girls is when he wants to bang. And that's typically only at parties." I look at her and shrug. I honestly cannot think of any reason other then the fact that they probably feel sorry that I am such a loser. I mean, I'm not super weird or greasy or nerdy but I definitely enjoy my personal space. I've learned that isolation is the safest option. I learned that the hard way.