"Life is so much more beautiful and complex than a number on a scale." – Tess Munster.
*
"OH MY GOD!" Avery exclaimed.
"Are you okay?" Concern was written all over her features.
I looked at my shirt and saw chocolate milk dripping down it. My gaze shifted to the carton of milk now on the floor. I tried to wipe the little on my face off. Of course, I wasn't okay. How could I possibly feel okay after this? Why did I think nothing bad would happen? I should have known something like this would happen. Luck wasn't on my side. It has never really been. I just wanted a chance to try this thing called friendship with Avery but I guessed my chances had been ruined.
Even if she initially genuinely wanted to be my friend, I was sure this would scare her away. I looked forward and Brittany and her crew were on the way and it looked like they were heading toward our table.
I was so embarrassed already and the thought of Avery witnessing whatever they'd cooked up made me feel even worse. I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. So, I grabbed my stuff and hurried out. I was more mortified that she witnessed all this than anything else. I didn't even stop by my locker to get an extra shirt, I just raced to the bathroom, hoping that no one would be there. Luckily for me, no one was. I stood before the mirror that was above the sink and stared at myself. My blue shirt had brown stains on it from the chocolate milk. I pulled my brown hair into a messy bun and washed my face. I wished I could wash off the embarrassment and humiliation the same way. I let out a frustrated sigh, I didn't think I could ever get used to this.
The bathroom door opened and I was about to run into hiding in one of the stalls but it was Avery.
"Hey, Maisie. I'm so sorry," she apologized.
"It's not your fault." I sighed, turning to face her. A wave of embarrassment hit me and I felt like I had to apologize to her for having to witness that.
"I know but I feel really bad. If I hadn't invited you to lunch, this wouldn't have happened."
I tilted my head. "Did you throw the milk carton at me?"
She gave me a look. "Obviously not."
"Did you ask them to do it?"
"No, I didn't." She looked confused, she didn't know where I was going with all this.
"Did you laugh at me?"
"Why would I?"
"Then there's no reason for you to feel bad about anything." It would have probably happened one way or the other.
"I'm sorry."
"Stop apologizing." She reluctantly nodded.
"Can you do me a favour?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"I have an extra shirt in my locker. Can you help me get it?"
"Of course. I'll be right back." She headed for the door, but then stopped because she remembered something. "What's your combo?"
I told her and she left while I tried to clean the stain on my shirt with water. When she returned with it, I thanked her and got changed in one of the stalls.
I had been wondering so I decided to ask. "Did the Bs talk to you?"
"The Bs?"
"Yes, three girls. They were walking towards our table when I left the cafeteria."
"Oh, them. I didn't speak to any of them. I left almost immediately after you did. Why?"
"I was just wondering." I shrugged.
"Why are they called that?"
"Each of their names starts with the letter 'B.' Brittany, Betty, and Bianca."
"Wow. What a coincidence," she said. She was now staring at her reflection in the mirror.
"It's not. Bianca's real name is Veronica. She just changed it to be one of them."
She turned away from the mirror to look at me, surprised. "Um… okay. I've never heard that one before."
I chuckled as I motioned towards the door. She led the way as we walked out.
"What are you doing here?" She asked someone as soon as she stepped out.
I closed the door behind me as I also walked out of the girls' bathroom to see Alex standing by the right side. It seemed like he was waiting for his sister.
"I came to check if she's okay." He told his sister and then faced me. "Are you okay?"
I blinked twice as I slowly nodded my head. I honestly didn't understand what was going on. Why were the most popular kids in school nice to me? I mean, a lot of people would do anything to be friends with them but I literally did nothing yet here they are, making an effort to be friends with me. it seemed far-fetched. Something seemed fishy to me.
"I'm sorry that happened to you. I think it was intentional," Alex said.
"Yeah, I agree. I'm suspecting the Bees or whatever they're called." Avery nodded in agreement.
They both looked at me, waiting for my input. Of course, it was intentional but instead of saying that, I shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I'm okay, it's not a big deal." It wasn't a big deal, I was just embarrassed that they both saw it happen.
"Okay, if you say so. I'll see you around." He smiled and walked away.
"I need to get something from the cafeteria. I'll meet you at your locker." Avery told me. I watched her catch up with Alex and stand on her toes to ruffle his hair. He didn't like it and it made her grin. When they were out of sight, I walked to my locker. I kept the stained shirt in and when I was picking up my books for the next classes, I heard footsteps approaching. I didn't look until the footsteps halted near me and I could immediately tell it was them.
Brittany slammed my locker shut so I turned to face them. What did they want this time? Wasn't the cafeteria scene enough? They glared at me, hating the fact that I was no longer wearing my stained shirt.
As usual, Brittany spoke first. "Hey, Fatass."
I didn't say anything.
"Are you mute? Answer her." Betty said.
"That's not my name," I mumbled.
"What did you say?"
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Nothing."
"I thought as much. What's your relationship with them?" Brittany asked.
I knew whom she was referring to but I feigned ignorance. "Who?"
Brittany scoffed. "She wants to play games."
Abruptly, she grabbed my hair, making me gasp in shock.
"Don't play with me, bitch. You know who I'm talking about." I could feel the anger radiating off her in waves and my scalp felt like it was on fire as she tightly gripped it.
"I saw you with them outside the girls' bathroom after they followed you out of the cafeteria. The arrangement looked suspicious to me. Like, why would they talk to you? Why would they even want to be seen with a loser like you, huh?"
She pulled me forward with my hair and pushed me back with the same force and letting go of my hair. Luckily for me, my head only hit the locker lightly. I gently brushed my hand through my hair, trying to soothe the slight pain in my scalp.
When I didn't have friends they bullied me about it and now that I might do, they were bullying me for that too. What exactly was their problem?
Brittany ground her teeth in fury. "I've been trying to befriend them for about a month now and they're brushing me off. So why? Why you?"
That was a conundrum I was also trying to figure out. Voice low, I answered her honestly. "I have no
idea."
"Maybe she has something on them," Bianca commented.
"Do you?" Brittany used a finger to tilt my face up to look at her.
It became silent as they all stared intensely at me, waiting for my answer. The sound of footsteps approaching broke the silence. They turned off bitch mode and retreated, fake smiles appearing on their faces.
"This conversation isn't over," Brittany glared at me.
When Avery saw us, she halted her steps and looked at us suspiciously. "What is going on here?"
"Oh, nothing much. We were just apologizing about what happened in the cafeteria," Brittany lied, faux smile still in place. Avery's gaze shifted to me, she slightly tilted her head and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Right, Maisie?" Betty made sure to emphasize my name. The way she said my name sounded threatening to me.
Avery continued to stare at me, waiting for my confirmation. I scanned the faces of each of the Bs and they all narrowed their eyes at me. I knew I wouldn't like what they'd do to me later if I didn't back them up so I gave Avery a nod.
"See? Anyway, we have to go now. See you around, Avery." Brittany led the way and the others followed, swaying their hips in rhythm as if they rehearsed it.
Avery moved close to me and motioned in the direction they went. "Did they really apologize?"
This was my chance to tell her the truth but I didn't. Instead, I turned to my locker and nodded my head. I didn't want my face to be a dead giveaway that I was lying.
"Somehow, I find that hard to believe. Maybe they're not as bad as I thought."
I shrugged.
"Hey." She stood beside me, her twinkling in excitement. "Want to hang out after school?"
"Huh?"
"Let's hang out after school."
"Why?"
"Why not? Just think of it as a redo lunch since we were interrupted the first time and an apology."
"I said it wasn't your fault." I heaved a sigh.
"Doesn't matter. Let's just do it."
I thought about the one thousand and one reasons why I shouldn't agree to this. It would be in public and it could be a disaster. What if something even more embarrassing happens?
I looked at the pleading look on her face as I contemplated whether or not to agree.
"Please?"
I tried to look for an excuse. "I don't think I have time—"
"Don't worry, we won't stay long. 30 minutes at most."
"Fine," I caved. "Where are we going?"
"Let's go to Rainbow Café today. Just to talk and get to know each other better," she suggested excitedly.
"Okay."
The bell rang indicating the end of lunch break. A frown appeared on her face. "Time for boring classes again."
I smiled and she passed me her phone. "Give me your number."
I typed in my number and returned her phone. "I'll text you. Don't forget."
"I won't."