Discovering Spencer

4. Me vs. the new bitches

"Spencer!"

I was walking out of English when I heard someone calling my name. I turned around swiftly and saw that it was Claire Bartley. Claire and I have been friends since freshman year. We've never actually hung out outside of school since all my time was practically devoted to Chloe.

She squealed as she marched up to me, her sun dress bouncing up and down. Finally, I felt at ease seeing a friendly face. After homeroom I dashed out to Bio where I focused so hard it felt like my brain was going to bleed. So far French and English were easy. I knew a couple of people from each class and yet still no Chloe, Thank goodness. If my luck continued like this I might end up having a good day after all.

"Your hair," She walked around me in circles to get a better look at my new hair color. "I love it; you look so nice and different."

"Thanks, I feel different," I said but it sounded sad which prompted Claire to hug me. Several students walked by us bumping and not caring that we were there.

"I'm so sorry about the whole Chloe thing," She said, pulling away. The Chloe thing, I guess that's what everyone was calling it. Claire looked sympathetic, almost on the verge of tears.

"It's okay I'm hanging on," I said firmly. I didn't want anyone to feel bad for me.

"Good. For. You." She said each word in staccato. "You have to sit with me at lunch."

"Okay," I agreed. Up until now I hadn't thought about lunch. It would have been a big loser move if I sat by myself. I sigh, relieved that she just invited me to sit with her.

"You can sit with me and Joel and some of our friends," She said as we continued walking. "So um... I heard you've been hanging out with Quinn Stewart."

"Oh my God," I said annoyed. "We were just talking."

"Hey listen," She held her hands up in defensive mode. "You can hang out with whoever you want but be careful because Quinn Stewart has a reputation." She added.

"Well you have nothing to worry about cause I don't plan on ever hanging out with her."

"Ok."

"I'm going to the bathroom," I said. "I'll meet you in the lunchroom."

"Okay we'll be by the small table facing the glass window by the north exit."

"I know where it is," I said taking off to the nearest bathroom.

My eyes and my nose were stinging which meant in just a few minutes I would start crying. Everything was changing before my eyes. Last semester I was sitting on a table full of people and now all I had was Claire, her boyfriend and her friends whom I didn't know much about. The last thing I wanted do was intrude. I stood in front of the dirty mirror looking at myself, my new blonde hair, my saddened eyes, and the lack of joy in my face. I desperately wished Chloe was here right now. As much has happened between us I'd give anything to have my best friend back.

I heard footsteps and voices approaching so I turned away from the mirror fast. I ran into the last stall with my bag flailing on my side. I couldn't bear anyone seeing me like this, in this sad funky state that I was in. I heard the door open and a series of loud voices permeated the room. I hopped on the toilet seat and crouched on it so no one would see my feet.

"I can't believe he would say that to you," One girl said. "Doesn't' he know who you are?"

"Well I say forget about him. It's a new school year and a fresh start." Another girl said. I recognized that voice but I couldn't really pin point who it was.

"There are plenty fishes in the sea and you need to go fishing," She added.

"And we all know you like to go fishing," One girl joked. I know that girl; I know the voice, its Chloe's. She was with her new batch of friends, Katy, Lulu and Deanna and they were talking about guys. I found it funny cause this was exactly what we used to do before heading to the cafeteria for lunch.