Thin As Water

19.

AN: Warning for language in this chapter

"Hey Lilian, where's Daisy?"

Lil glanced up in surprise as Tina approached her. It was morning break, and she was just going over her english project.

"I don't know, probably finishing her project. Why?"

"Isn't it a group project?" 

"Yes." Lil turned back to her work.

"Oh, I'd have thought she'd be with you. Who is she with?"

Lil ignored her.

"Is it Tatum?"

"Yes."

"Oh, so she did choose. I thought you said she wouldn't."

Lil raised an eyebrow. "The only thing she chose was to get started on her project when it was assigned. I would have done the same, but if you'll recall, I was locked in a closet."

To Tina's credit, she blushed slightly at that.

"Now, if you're quite through, I need to focus on this." Lil turned back to her work.

Tina huffed slightly. "Fine. Touchy subject, I get it."

Lil looked back up with exasperation. "What?"

"Lilian, friendships sometimes drift apart. It's perfectly alright."

"What is the purpose of this."

Tina gave an icy smile. "I just want to help you."

"I appreciate it, but I do not need, or want, your help."

"What did happen between you two? There was something, wasn't there?"

Tina watched Lil's face closely. The girl's eyes seemed to grow brighter for a second, and a few lines appeared on her forehead. Tina smiled. So there was something.

"It's ok Lilian, sometimes things just happen. Or sometimes we cause them to happen."

Lil raised an eyebrow.

"Is that what happened? Did she hurt you? Or did you hurt her?"

Lil sighed. "Once again, are you quite through?"

Tina growled. "Why won't you react? I know she's your weak spot."

Lil smiled. "Because you're baiting me, and I don't take bait."

"Oh, that's a lie. You would. I know you would!"

"Don't get upset, Christina. It was an excellent attempt at manipulation." Lil rolled her eyes and turned away.

"You bitch."

Lil turned slowly back around. "What did you just say?"

Tina paused for a second, then stepped forward. "You. Bitch."

Lil flared her nostrils. "I believe I warned you about this earlier in the year. You are now in trouble."

At that moment, the warning bell rang. Lil grabbed Tina by the shoulder and glared down at her.

"Discipline room. 3:00. Do not be late."

The head girl turned on her heel and walked to class.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You really can't help yourself, can you cuz?" Katherine sighed with exasperation.

"It's not my fault! And you don't like her either!" Tina pouted.

"Yes, but I have the good sense enough not to put my arse on the line for the sake of feeling better. Self preservation is generally encouraged, Chrissa."

Tina glared. "Well, now it's too late. And I can't try out for cheer either."

"Sure you can."

Tina raised an eyebrow at Alissa, who was standing in the doorway. "Like the bitch would let that happen."

"The bitch," Alissa smirked. "Doesn't have a choice. Cheer tryouts are a school event, you're signed up, and there's nothing she can do about that. She doesn't have the power to make you not try out. She'd have to run that by the headmistress, and since you've not been summoned to the office, she hasn't."

Tina considered this. "How do you know?"

"I read the rules."

"You?" Katherine looked surprised.

Alissa smiled icily. "The better you know the rules, the more ways around them you can find. The bitch only has a certain amount of power, and if you pull things just right, there's nothing she can do."

Tina grinned. "In that case, I'll see you at tryouts."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You ok, Lil?"

Lil glanced over at Daisy. "Yeah. Fine."

Daisy raised an eyebrow pointedly.

"Alright, I'm not fine."

Daisy smiled sympathetically. "What happened?"

"It's Christina again. She came over to me during morning break to ask where you were. I told her you were with Tatum finishing your project, and she started mocking me. I brushed her off, she swore at me, and now I have to deal with her after classes."

The blonde's eyes narrowed. "She needs to leave you alone. What did she say?"

Lil shrugged. "She implied that we were drifting apart." She looked up, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "Are we?"

Daisy quickly crossed the room and pulled Lil into a hug. "No, of course not. You're my best friend, and nothing will change that."

"Daisy, I know I've said it, but I want you to know that I am truly sorry for hurting you earlier this year. I-"

"Shh, Lil. I forgave you for that months ago. You can't keep beating yourself up about that."

Lil shook her head. "That's something that I haven't repaid."

"You don't need to repay me. I don't require that of you." Daisy insisted.

Lil remained silent.

"I'd never pick."

"What?"

Daisy looked closely at her friend. "You think that I'd choose between you and Tate. I'm not picking, Lil. You're both important to me. I'm never going to pick between you two."

Lil smiled slightly. "I know."

"You'd better know that." Daisy grew serious again. "Lil, are you sure you're doing ok?"

Lil hesitated for only a second before nodding.

Daisy smiled gently. "I'm always here."

"Thank you."

AN: So there's a bit of resolution for Daisy and Lil. Next up, the climax begins, because Lil is going to be none too pleased when Tina doesn't show up at 3.

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