Page 52 of The Prom Queen Project
“Actually, now that you mention it…”
Their collective groans echoed through the room like a symphony of crudely composed cymbals and tambourines.
“Just kidding. I’ll see you guys next Tuesday. We only have a few more practices left before the winter pep rally, so make sure to come hydrated and full of energy.”
Their groans were heard once again.
I silently laughed as the girls scurried off to grab their bags and stormed the exit doors as if a bear was prowling behind them, threatening their lives. Sure, the girls were friendly, minusMeredith and Kendra, but they were already far too invested in their own respective cliques to care about befriending the girl who fell from grace. People weren’t necessarily talking shit about me but they sure were talking.
Why isn’t Clarke talking to Meredith?
How come she’s not sitting with the cheerleaders?
Is Elliot really her boyfriend?
Gossip spread through the school like a wildfire, but even now, no one dared question my place because I was still the pretty, blonde cheer captain with a million and one friends. The only difference now was that I had this whole rule-breaker, quirky status attached to my name since I hung out with the outcasts.
Perfect way to garner votes for Prom Queen, am I right?
As I was lifting the strap of my duffle bag onto my shoulder, I noticed Camryn hurry by.
“Hey, Cam!” I called out. “Can you come here for a sec?”
She appeared to wilt as she slowly made her way towards me.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“I just wanted to make sure you were adjusting okay. You seemed a bit nervous when we did the basket toss today.”
“No,” she replied, her tone a bit defensive. “I’m just feeling a bit tired. That’s it.”
“Look, there’s no shame if—”
“I’m fine. Honestly.”
“Okay.” I sighed. “I’m gonna be watching you next practice, so don’t give me a reason to bench you.”
She nodded vigorously, her eyes wide with fear.
I tilted my head to the left, indicating she was free to leave as I watched her face light up at the prospect of getting away from me. I was pulled from my thoughts of self-deprecation when my phone buzzed inside my bag. Ripping open the zipper, my hands fumbled around until I felt the smooth surface of my phone. Pulling it out, Elliot’s name illuminated the screen.
“Hey, Abercrombie.”
“Hey, Princess.”
“You miss me already? It’s only been like an hour since school ended.”
“Don’t think too highly of yourself. You’ll get a big head.”
“So, it must be too late for you then?”
His rich laughter filled my ears. “Keep being mean, and I won’t invite you to The Honeycomb Café with me.”
What’s up with this town and its obsession with any and all things bee-related?
“The Honeycomb Café?” I repeated slowly, my eyebrows furrowed. “I pictured you as more of a scotch on the rocks kind of guy as opposed to a vanilla bean latte kind of guy. Why are you going there?”
“They are having a trivia night.”
