Miranda. And her entourage.
They had some poor girl cornered, her back to the wall like a trapped animal. My stomach twisted. I fucking hated bullies. But it was my first day. I needed to keep my head down. Blend in.
One foot on the first step. One second from walking away.
“Jesus, look at you. Where the fuck did you even get that shirt? I mean, you could’ve at least gotten it in your size. Which is what? An XXL?”
I balled my fists as the cackle of mean girls filled my ears. I wasn’t the only one in the hallway. I hated this. How could people just walk on by like this was ok? No one ever stepped in. I should know but, still, I was on the fence. Did this poor chick really need the new girl to step in?
But the second I heard her voice, my mind was made up.
“Miranda, come on. It’s the first day of school. We’re freaking seniors. Please just leave me alone.”
Maria.
Oh, hell no. I spun so fast that the walls around me blurred and marched right up to the little group cornering the girl I had been trying to befriend all summer. They parted for me, giving me a clear shot to Miranda, who turned to me, surprised.
“Hey, Miranda, right?”
She gave me a sickly-sweet smile, “Hi, Holly! Change your mind about cheerleading?”
“No. I hate cheerleading almost as much as I hate pick-me bitches who think it’s ok to bully other people just to make themselves feel better.”
Someone behind me gasped. I looked over Miranda’s shoulder at Maria, who was shaking her head like she was trying to tell me to stop. Miranda’s jaw dropped, and then her face turned a very unattractive red color. Like a beet. “What did you just say to me?”
“You heard me. Now, fuck off.”
“Do you know who I am?”
I rolled my eyes at the cliche line. “Did you know I don’t give a damn? Get a better hobby. Don’t you have some shitty routine to practice? A shitty boyfriend you need to text?”
I heard a male voice behind me. We must have drawn a crowd. Typical. They wouldn’t stop to help someone but for a show? The chance to watch a cat fight? They were all over that. Miranda took a step towards me, shoving her face in mine.I didn’t budge, wrinkling my nose at her floral perfume and raising a single eyebrow at her.Come on. Do something. I dare you. I’ve got anger issues and a busload of trauma. I’ll lay into your ass until you feel two inches tall.
“Ok, new girl. I see you. Think you’re hot shit? Well, let me tell you something. I own this place. I was doing you a favor. Now? I’m going to make your life a living hell. You’re gonna wish you had never crossed that line for some chick you don’t even know.”
“Get out of my face, Miranda. Ten years from now you’ll be dressing in designer to hide how much you hate your life. That girl behind you? She’ll be somebody. She’s already twice the person you’ll ever be. So: fuck off.”
Miranda’s mouth moved, but no words came out. The whispering behind me grew louder. Just when I thought she was going to burst from the indignation, she stomped her foot and marched off, shouting that I would be sorry over her shoulder as her little posse followed behind her. I glared at her retreating back, then I turned my attention to Maria as the bell rang and the crowd began to disperse.
“Hi.”
She stared at me, beat-up backpack clutched to her chest, and that same jean jacket hiding the bruises I knew were underneath. “Do you have a death wish?”
I shrugged. “Honestly? Yeah, a little.”
“That was social suicide.”
“I know. I just don’t care. It’s senior year, and I’m a stranger in a small town. I’ve already accepted my fate as an outsider.”
She squinted at me, pretty brown eyes taking me in. The bell rang again, and she shrugged her backpack over her shoulder. “Well, new girl. We’re gonna be late. What’s your next class?”
“Ummm, I have no idea. Some elective. Room 117?”
“Oh, like half the senior class is in that class. Stupid freaking graduation requirements, am I right?”
“Are you?”
“Am I what?”
