"No."
"Come on, just this once."
"First of all, that's what you said last time and secondly I told you, I've already made plans," she growled out while tugging at her auburn hair.
"Stop being so damn annoying and just go to the party."
"Annoying?! You fucking-" she snarled out as she moved to shove at his chest.
"Taylor!" a sharp voice called out.
Halting her movements she winced, turning to see Casey stalking towards her with an unimpressed look. Her hair was in its usual high pony, finished off in a plait with her side fringe swept to the left of her face. She was wearing a pair of black denim shorts with a red tank top and a pair of converse.
"What?" she asked shrinking back a little when Casey glared at her.
"Don't 'what' me. You know you can't afford to get into trouble again, you're already on detention for the next two weeks," Casey huffed in annoyance.
"Don't tell me you're still mad about that," Taylor groaned, "that douche was looking for it and you know it."
"I don't care if he was looking for it, it doesn't justify you punching him in the face."
"Whatever."
Rolling her eyes, Casey directed her attention to Aaron, "hey," she said tucking her fringe behind her ear.
"Hey Cas," he grinned, "mind talking some sense into Taylor?"
"I'll try, but you know how she is…" Casey trailed off with a snicker. "Hey!" Taylor yelled looking betrayed.
"Julie's throwing a party this Friday and I want to go, but I can't go unless Taylor's with me," Aaron explained while glaring at his sister. "I've told you, we're having a movie marathon on Friday," Taylor groaned, resisting the urge to punch him.
Looking between Taylor and Aaron, Casey let out a sigh. "How about this, we'll go with you to the party," Casey started, warning Taylor to not interrupt, "but, only for ten minutes, then we'll go back to my place. After all, the rule is she has to go with you to the party, no one said she has to leave with you as well."
"But that's so much effort," Taylor groaned in annoyance.
"Keep groaning like that and people will start to think you're a porn star," Aaron smirked. Dodging a hit from Taylor, he grinned at Casey and thanked her before walking to his friends.
"You're too nice," Taylor huffed while tucking her hands in her leather jacket. "Oh don't be such a sourwolf," Casey said rolling her eyes, "anyways, let's go find Claudia."
Sticking her tongue out at Casey, Taylor began stalking across the oval towards the parking lot ignoring the smirk tugging at Casey's lips.
…
Pulling up in her silver nissan maxima, she quickly touched up her makeup before climbing out of the car. Glancing around, her eyes quickly found Casey and Taylor heading towards her direction from across the field. Moving to lean against her car she lifted her hand to return Casey's wave.
"What took you so long?" Taylor asked when they finally reached her. "My alarm didn't go off, so I slept in this morning," Claudia explained giving her and Casey a hug, "you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Taylor shrugged.
"I still can't believe we're Sophomores," Casey grinned.
"It's really not that exciting, we still have two years left after this," Claudia sighed.
"I know, but still. I have a feeling that this is going to be an eventful year," she surmised while looking at the school, "anyways, lets go."
Pushing off the car Claudia walked ahead, flicking her long, black, wavy hair over her shoulder, begrudgingly followed by Taylor and an ecstatic Casey.
…
"I'm done, I'm so fucking done," Taylor complained as she dropped in her seat. "We're only halfway through our first week, how can you already be over it?" Casey asked while sitting down next to her. "It's that stupid calculus, Cas, I'm not gonna make it."
"Oh don't be so dramatic, if you're struggling you know you can just ask me for help or get a tutor or something. It's really not that bad," Casey sighed rolling her eyes. "Says the genius," she grumbled.
Laughing, Casey turned to see Claudia sit down beside her. "Where's your food?" she asked. "Not hungry," Claudia said pulling out a nail file. "Bullshit," Taylor scoffed, "you're listening to that superficial garbage and starving yourself, again."
"Wow, that's some big words you used there," Claudia goaded, "I'm impressed."
"Fuck off," Taylor growled out. "Guys! Stop!" Casey cut in exasperated. "Tell that to the bitchy ice-queen," Taylor snarled flashing her yellow eye. "Taylor, go for a walk," Casey demanded, "now."
Letting out a frustrated growl, Taylor stood up before walking off and leaving the canteen. Sighing, Casey ran a hand over her face before turning to Claudia. "That was uncalled for," she said giving her an unimpressed look. "She should've minded her own business," Claudia hissed.
"She was only looking out for you."
Claudia looked towards the canteen's entrance before letting out a breath. "I know….I know," she admitted clenching her fists.
After a moment she stood up and tucked in her chair. "I better go find her," she said turning to leave. Crossing the room Claudia pressed her hands on the door to push it open.
"She's right you know," Claudia heard Casey whisper, "there's nothing wrong with who you are."
"Taylor, I know you can hear me," Claudia said as she leaned against the door, "open up." Waiting for a moment, she sighed when she heard no reply. "I know I was a bit of bitch," she tried again, "but you have to admit that you're at fault to. I mean you blew that way out of proportion." After yet another moment of silence, she once again tried to open the door, contemplating whether or not she should just break the handle off. "Come on Taylor!" she complained, "...I-"
"I'm sorry."
Hearing some movement from inside the classroom, Claudia stepped off the door just in time as it swung open. "You're still a bitch," Taylor said as she stepped out of the room and tugged the door closed behind her. "Shut up, you stupid hot-head," Claudia retorted as she started to walk back towards the canteen.
"I'm glad to see no one's dead," Casey joked as Taylor and Claudia joined her once again. "I wouldn't hold my breath on that one," Taylor scoffed rolling her eyes.