LPS High School AU

Challenge

After school, Zoe and Pepper walked out of school, chitchatting and laughing. Since the fiasco at lunch, Zoe has felt a lot better now. Penny Ling and the others did a great job at talking to her, consoling her at her time of need. The diva was pumped up for the rest of the day, Madame Pom clearly not on her mind.

"Oh! I almost forgot." Zoe smiled, "You still haven't told me how your date with the captain went!"

Pepper rolled her eyes, "I mean, I tried telling you earlier!"

"Well you could tell me now!" Zoe's eyes beamed, "Come on! I want all the details! Was he a gentleman? Did you two have fun? Did you two kiss?"

"Ugh! Zoe!" Pepper felt her cheeks redden at the thought of it, "Obviously not!" She lowered her gaze, "But...he did say he wanted to do it again sometime..."

Zoe squealed. "Ooh! That's always a good sign!"

As the two continued walking out, a new voice rang out.

"Pepper!" Both turned to face Madame Pom, who was waving them over, a bright smile on her face.

Pepper grinned back as Zoe felt her eye twitch. Again?! The diva puffed her cheeks, the anger she had felt earlier slowly coming back.

The model walked over to the two. "And of course, Zoe." She batted her eyelids, "You know, anger doesn't really suit you, darling."

Zoe huffed, "At least I know how to express my emotions."

Madame Pom couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Zoe. That's a natural talent of mine!"

Pepper looked between the two girls, a bit uneasy. "So!" She shifted the conversation, "What brings you back here?" She asked the newcomer, "Are you like, planning to attend this school?"

"No way!" Zoe and Madame Pom both exclaimed at the same time, making Pepper flinch. Madame Pom quickly cleared her throat.

"I mean, I just happened to be in the neighborhood, and happened to find two familiar faces. I was wondering if you could be a dear and tell me where the best nail spa is located, hm? My poor feet are in desperate need of a pedicure."

"Uh...I'm not really sure." Pepper furrowed her brows, "Zoe, you know more about this than I do, any idea where—"

"You know, Madame Pom." Zoe stepped forward, "Instead of bothering us about it, why don't you use your phone to look it up?"

Pepper froze. "Dude! What are you doing?!" She whispered.

Madame Pom scoffed at the response. "I was just asking for personal opinion!" She spat out, her tone icy cold, "Though, it must be tough for you, especially since you can't seem to handle other people's opinions."

"Oho, is that so?" Zoe growled.

"Uh, Zo?" Pepper nervously laughed, "Maybe you shouldn't-"

"Well, at least I'm not the one with the big ego!" Zoe spat back, her tone just as cold. "Your mind feeds off of whoever praises you for whatever you do!"

That made Madame Pom snap.

"That's because everything they say is true!" The model growled, "I've always modeled circles around you, and I always will!" The two girls were now face to face, eyes like daggers staring into each other.

"Is that right?" Zoe remarked, "Or is that just your ego talking again?"

Pepper looked between the two girls, afraid of what is yet to come. No one else was around. Perfect.