This comes from a response to a challenge put forward by Stickshift on the PPMB, in which a character lashes out. Many thanks to him for the idea.
It was three weeks ago. Mother had been busy and had forgotten to set out the pills for a couple of days. Everything had become so clear. I wasn't drowsy or slow; I could think. After a day back on them, I decided that there was no way I was going to keep taking them.
It's morning and that means breakfast with mother. I grab the pills she'd placed next to my empty plate and toss them into my mouth. Keeping them under my tongue, I finish off my orange juice. I put on a good show, with a big swallow at the end. When mother turns her back to put the plates in the sink, I spit the pills into my purse.
"Caaan I go to schoool now?" Make sure to drag out the vowels. It's a trip to the doctor if she notices, and that would mean back on the pills.
"Of course dear. Have a good day."
I pull the door closed behind me and start the walk to school, making sure to not to walk too fast. Have to be careful.
School's hard. Not the classes, those are actually easier, but being around my friends is starting to get boring. All they talk about is clothes. Sure looking cute is nice, but there's so much else out there in the world. I've started reading novels in the library when I can get away from them. They never find me. Who would look for me in the library?
Sitting at a table reading, I'm interrupted by someone behind me clearing their throat. Turning I see Sandi Griffin. This might be a problem.
"Like, what are you doing? We've been looking all over for you," she asks, her tone more irritated than concerned.
"Sorry Sandi." Stretch the vowels. Stretch the vowels. "I waass loooking for the maaagaziiines." Please don't notice.
She looks like she suspects something for a moment, but it passes quickly. "Tiffany dear, all of the magazines here are woefully out of date. Let's get out of here, we have a meeting in the bathroom in ten minutes and I will not let Quinn get there before me."
I take note of where I am in my book and follow Sandi to the girl's room. We spend thirteen minutes waiting. Sandi crosses her arms and taps her foot while I stare vacantly into the mirror. Got to keep up the act. Quinn eventually shows up, Stacy in tow.
"It certainly took you two long enough," Sandy says imperiously. Stacy flinches. Why does she keep hanging around Sandi? Why do I?
"Sorry, we got held back by Mr. DeMartino," Quinn quickly explains.
"Very well, I'll let it go this once, but don't let it happen again." What a joke, if she was late she would just say she was being 'fashionably late'.
"Of course Sandi. So what are we discussing today?"
"We were going to talk about the cheerleaders and the fact that they've been dating more of the non-jock popular boys that we normally date," Stacy rattled off, pulling a notebook from her bag. Why do we even care?
"I think we need to go talk to the cheerleaders and explain to them how these things work," Sandy says, starting things off.
"I don't know Sandi, some of the jocks are pretty cute and they'd be freed up for us to date if the cheerleaders were dating other guys. Plus, we would get a break from dating the same group of guys we've been dating," Quinn counters. How can they put so much thought into this?
"Wow Quinn, that's a good point," Stacy chimes in. She never has an original thought, does she?
There's a gap in the conversation and everyone stares at me expectantly. Oh right, that was my cue. "Um, yeah." Was I really this dumb?
"Gee, if everyone agrees with Quinn, maybe she should be president of the fashion club," Sandi whines.
"Sandy, no!" Stacy cries.
"I could never be as good a president as you Sandi," Quinn adds.
"I don't see how it could be any worse." Things get quiet and all three of them stare at me. Crap, I said that out loud.
"What was that Tiffany?" Sandi asks, shock and anger competing in her tone.
"You know what? Screw it. This is boring. I just spent thirteen minutes staring at my reflection. All you three think about are clothes and guys. Don't get me wrong, I like both, but there's more to the world than who's taking you out Friday and what you'll be wearing. We live in a beautiful, vibrant world full of possibility and you're meeting up in a restroom to discuss your claim on boys? Sorry, I have better things to do. Bye."