to blush, “no. I chickened out at the last moment.”
“Why?”
She was rather nonchalant. “Nobody was home.”
“I’m sorry? Nobody was home? Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Well, normally yes, but there was no risk. You understand?”
“No. Not really.”
She shrugged her shoulders, “without the risk it’s not exciting.”
I glanced up and saw something strange, Natalie Pelledario talking to someone in an Armani suit. I have impeccable taste so I recognize expensive. It’s like a sixth sense. Except I don’t see dead people. Ewww. How gross would that be? No wonder that kid was all messed up.
“Hey, Caren. Caren.” Belinda snapped her fingers.
“Huh? What?”
“I lost you for a minute. So what do you think?”
“About?”
“Did you ever do it with John?”
“God no! He smelled. Plus I’m saving myself.”
“For what?”
I shrugged my shoulders, “I won’t be like my mom. I want to find the right guy someday.”
“I hear ya’, but I think it’s a bit naïve, don’t you?”
I glanced up and saw the well-dressed man pointing his finger at Natalie, like he was scolding her. Then he walked her out of the auditorium.
“Let me ask you a question, is it naïve to not want to make the same mistakes your parents made?”
“Touché.”
Ms. Oliver walked down the aisle towards us, “okay people I want to start rehearsing Act 3. Anybody who is not in Act 3 Scene 1 please take a seat.” She clapped her hands, “c’mon let’s go.”
Well I wasn’t in this scene so I decided to go and freshen up. “I’ll be right back.” I told Belinda.
I was in the bathroom fixing my hair, got my big can of hairspray from my purse and sprayed a nice coat. I reapplied my pink lip-gloss when Natalie walked in. I gave a little smile. Something between nothing and a slight rise from the side of my mouth. She did the same.
“So nice shirt? Isn’t that last years fashion?” She said.
I stopped putting my lip-gloss on and faced her, “excuse me? This happens to be a Donna Karin exclusive! I don’t wear last years anything! And as for you missy don’t talk to me about fashion. You’re wearing jeggings! Like, when did that become a thing????”
Jeggings were dark, skinny jeans with some stretch. They basically worked as leggings.
I continued, after all she started it, “I get Natalie that leggings-cum-jeans are a trend but come on. To the point that you buy these rather than regular jeans? Really? If I wore those god-awful things as jeans, I’d most definitely be That Girl. Talk to me again when you’re not wearing those things.” I pointed to her jeggings. “Bye.” I blew her a kiss and walked off.
I was glad school was over for the day so I could drive my mom’s car again. The four of us headed for the parking lot.
“I can’t believe that bitch screwed me!” Randi screamed in anger.
“What are you gonna do now?” Deirdre asked.
“What choice do I have? Either I do it or I don’t go to competition and let Natalie win. And I rather die before I let Nat-
At 3:05 the horn blared indicating a shift change at the chemical plant. Followed by a scream from above, and then -
Deirdre
Chapter 4
Thursday, 6:05 AM
My name is Deirdre Brocktin. I’d been up for awhile, I have trouble sleeping, so I was doing some lite reading: The Road To Reality. If Albert Einstein were alive, he would have a copy of this book. So would Isaac Newton. This book may be the most comprehensive and complete mathematical explanation of the universe. Sorry. I tend to get a little carried away.
There was a time when I didn't have a lot of friends. I was a bit shy and reserved. Well I still am, sort of. I never really wanted to be popular, but I did want to have someone to share secrets and laughs with. All through elementary school and part of my first year in middle school though, I just slipped in and out of "light" friendships where I didn't find a lot of comfort or companionship.
I was also bullied a lot since elementary school. My bully was Molly Shasta, a heavy-set, red-haired, freckle-faced girl. In middle school the bullying got worse. It would start in the morning with a shoulder shove, in the hallways a push against the lockers, at lunch she would take my food. This went on for the first semester, until one day when my bully met someone tougher than her – Kaye. She walked up to Molly during lunch and slammed Molly’s tray on the floor. The whole cafeteria fell quiet and watched. Kaye got right up to her. Keep in mind that Molly was a foot taller it didn’t seem to intimidate Kaye. She looked up at her and said, and I will never forget this:
“Listen here Raggedy Ann, your bullying days are over! If I ever see you pick on, touch, or even glance at my friend in any way that seems threatening. I will bitch-slap the freckles right off your face.”
Molly never bothered me again. Some say she transferred out of school. I didn’t really care I had acquired not one but three friends. And we’d been inseparable ever since.
I rubbed my eyes and decided it was time to take a shower and get dressed.
Afterwards I walked quietly down the hall to the kitchen. My mom and dad were sitting at the table, each reading their own copy of the Wall Street Journal. I have career parents. My dad is the chief of Cardiology at New Charlotte Mercy Hospital, while my mom is a corporate attorney with Hawkins, Brocktin and Davis. Or rather a partner.
“Morning.” I whispered. They didn’t say a word. In my house the rule of thumb is kids should be seen not heard. I’m an only child. According to my mom I was an accident. We don’t get to choose our parents, nor their character.
I made some toast and ate it in my room while I read. At 7:22 I got my stuff together and drove to school where I waited for my friends.
I changed for PE, green shorts and a white tee shirt with the New Charlotte’s mascot on the front. A green and white hornet.
I started running around the track along with my classmates. I hated running. I hated sweating. I didn’t really like to exercise. I’d rather be reading, but I didn’t have much choice. So I sucked it up and did my usual half jog, half walk around the track. We had to run two miles.
I was circling around the track for the second time when I noticed an impeccably dressed man sitting in the bleachers, talking on his cell
