Tripping The Prom Queen
Author's Note: Well, here I am! Another day, another story. Actually, I wish it was that simple! This particular story has been very hard for me to write, as it is based on certain real-life events that have been difficult for me to deal with. I now know that some people never grow up, never change and sadly, still remain the same vicious, insecure beings they were in high school. Sad, but true!
The good news is that this story is different. In this story, people actually get what they deserve… eventually! It's a fun little tale of friendship, frenemies, loyalty, revenge… and true love!
This story is dedicated to anyone who has ever been hurt, betrayed or deserted by someone you thought was a close friend… Sadly, I think that's just about everyone.
Just know that you are not alone!
Oh, and since this a new story… I don't own "Twilight" or any of its elements. Although, like the talented Stephenie Meyer, this story also began with a dream…
Tripping The Prom Queen
Chapter 1: Just Another Day
In the state of Washington, lies a small town called Forks. It's only distinctive feature is its ordinariness. Nothing characterizes it as different from hundreds of others located across the country. Local legends do assert that vampires once… and possibly still… live here. However, those stories have no factual basis. The town's only remotely unusual trait is an abnormal amount of overcast days and rainfall.
It was on just such a morning in mid-September that Bella Swan left for school. As usual, her father departed first, heading for his job as Forks' police chief. Charlie Swan had offered his daughter a ride, but she declined, choosing instead to ride with her best friend, Rosalie Hale.
On the surface, Bella and Rosalie constituted an incongruous pair. Rosalie was statuesque, with perfectly waved blonde hair, cerulean eyes and timeless beauty. She was popular, extremely outspoken, and the newly elected captain of the cheerleading squad. In contrast, Bella felt extremely ordinary with brown hair and eyes, and a slender, but not curvaceous form. Shy and clumsy, she was perfectly content to bask in the golden glow of her best friend. Their relationship had been that way since Bella moved to Forks at the age of ten.
Bella stood outside that morning, shivering and watching the sky darken from pearl gray to an increasingly ominous granite. Minutes passed quickly, with no sign of Rosalie. This was not unusual. Rosalie was often late, smugly believing
"They'll wait for me! I'm worth it."
"I'll call her." Bella thought now, sliding her aging cell phone from her bag.
Rosalie did not answer.
"I hope she's ok." Bella thought. It was silly to worry too much. Rosalie was always late, and once or twice, had even forgotten to pick her up at all. Still, she grew increasingly uneasy and tried desperately to shake it off. Finally, as worried about the weather as the time, Bella jumped into her red truck and drove carefully towards Fork's high school.
Though upset about her friend's neglect, she was more relieved to spot Rosalie's slick silver convertible BMW already in the parking lot. It was already very late by the time Bella arrived. She had just enough time to hurl her coat and books into her locker and rush off to her first period English class, which she shared with Rosalie and several of their friends.
Fork's new head cheerleader was already seated at her desk near the back, several rows away from Bella's own. As always, she was surrounded by an entourage of admirers, including her fellow cheerleaders, Jessica Stanley, Lauren Mallory and the new girl, Victoria Smith.
Bella took a few tentative steps in their direction. Rosalie did not meet her eyes. In fact, she appeared to not even see her. Before she could move any closer, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Reluctantly, Bella slid into her own seat. She listened to the droning voice of their English teacher, Mr. Mason. Normally, this was her favorite class and they were reading one of her favorite books, Wuthering Heights. Yet today, she couldn't concentrate and eagerly anticipated the end of that period.
The piercing clang of the bell was a welcome sound.
"Finally!" Bella thought.
She desperately needed to talk to Rosalie. She had no idea what was wrong, or even what could be. Bella couldn't think of anything she might have done to upset her friend, but with Rosalie, that wasn't always obvious. She was puzzled, but not overly concerned.
"We always work it out in the end. I just apologize and she's happy…"
The morning continued in the same fashion. Bella tried to approach Rosalie in the halls and in the one other class they shared, third-period Biology. However, everywhere, Jessica, Lauren, and especially Victoria surrounded her, forming an impermeable wall.
Bella could only hope she would have more success at lunch. Following mobs of carefree, cheerfully chatting students, she hurried to the cafeteria. Her appetite non-existent, she skipped the food line. Completely preoccupied, the noise and chaos of the room went unregistered. Something was clearly going on and she was determined to finally find out what it was.
Bravely, she approached the largest table, the one right in the center of the cafeteria. It was where Rosalie always sat… and where Bella had sat right next to her, every day before today.
Victoria stepped right in front of her. Lauren and Jessica flanked Victoria on either side, completely blocking Bella's path. Rosalie was several feet away, completely obscured from her view.
Bella opened her mouth, but the flaming venom of Victoria's eyes instantly silenced her. In contrast, Rosalie's eyes were cool and detached, as if she wasn't there at all.
Victoria glared at Bella, sneering
"There's no room at this table."