Wow, it's been a year and a half. I'm so sorry guys, but I hope you enjoy the chapter...
If there are any readers left :)
I strongly recommend going back and refreshing yourself on the chapters before this if you are a continued-reader, since it's been so long!
7.
Preston-Tatum Secondary School; Big Lake, Illinois
February 1st
12:05 PM
"The lunch room, obviously," Piper waved her arm across the gigantic, marble-floored room. "This is Middle-School Lunch, so just the 7th and 8th graders are here right now. Over here is the lunch line."
Claire marveled at the room. It was easily twice the size of OCD's Café, and much more luxurious. The mahogany tables were round and covered with thin, translucent tablecloths. Most of the tables could easily sit eight, but most were filled with small groups of friends.
"So where do you sit?" Claire asked Piper, not bothering to look at the dark-haired girl.
"Oh, it varies. Usually with my friends from debate, or dance team."
"You're on dance team?" Claire said, surprised. She gave the girl a once over, discovering a svelte figure not unlike Alicia's. Still, Piper didn't seem the type.
"Yeah, the middle school team. There are twenty of us, ten from 7th and ten from 8th." Piper busied herself with selecting the perfect charred chicken Caesar with raspberry vinaigrette. Claire grabbed the same thing, along with a ramekin of bacon mac and cheese and a side of rosemary duck fat thin fries. Piper eyed the blonde's selection with surprise, before following the new girl's lead and grabbing a side of fries for her own tray.
"Oh cool," Claire intoned, quickly losing interest in the topic. Her eyes were drawn to a table across the room. It was one of the only four-tops in the entire room. Girls deep in gossip filled three out of four seats. Claire couldn't see any details besides hair at this distance, but noted that every strand appeared to be in place. There was something about that group. Something familiar.
"ID card, please," a voice broke Claire out of her reverie. Claire scrambled to slide her iPhone case off and retrieve the ID card hidden underneath. The checkout lady took the card with a smile and ran it through the silver machine before handing it back. Claire turned to find Piper ten feet away, waiting for her.
"Piper," Claire called as she walked. "Can you tell me who they are?" She pointed vaguely at the three girls. Piper glanced at the table for a second before sighing dramatically.
"I would stay away from those girls if I were you," Piper took on a different tone, more cautionary and less fun. "Especially right now, being new and all."
"Who are they?" Claire pressed, feeling agitated. She could tell the trio would be the key decider in how Claire's PTSD career would go.
Piper rolled her hazel eyes before responding.
"Fine. The brunette at the head of the table?" Claire glanced at the table quickly, picking up on more details than she had before. The brunette was gorgeous, with thick light brown hair, porcelain skin and large doe-brown eyes. "Genevieve Oslow, resident queen bee of PTSD. She is incredibly intelligent, but you'll never find her at school if she doesn't have to be. Looks innocent, but is unquestionably the fakest person I've ever met. She has three horses, various trust funds and a white Bugatti with her name on it the second she turns sixteen."
Claire nodded. Genevieve sounded awfully similar to Massie, except way more intense. In fact, Genevieve sounded a bit like Kristen and Massie mixed together, with a dash of Alicia. Dangerous combination.
"Okay, and see the blonde to her right? Her right, not our right." Claire oriented herself to try and figure out which blonde Piper was speaking of. Finally, she realized it was the paler of the two. "Heidi Rosdahl. Unquestionable sole heir to Rosdahl Holdings, which is rumored to own two billion dollars worth of property in the United States, primarily in New York, and Sweden, along with stock in nearly every popular brand known to man. Driven to school daily in a limo, and you will occasionally see one of her father's security team roaming the hallways. Knows everything there is to know at this school, and is a star soccer and basketball player." Piper took a deep breath. Claire took the opportunity to scope out Heidi. She had pale blonde hair a few shades lighter than Claire's tied up in a high pony, brilliant blue eyes and a pert, upturned nose with a smattering of freckles.
Claire's jaw dropped. What? Rosdahl Holdings was the fourth most profitable company in the country. And Claire was going to school with the heir? This was crazy. This group of girls had five times-more status than the PC already.
"And lastly, but certainly not least," Piper's tone took on a dark tone. Claire glanced at the last girl, and nearly fell over backwards. Clarissa Conti? What on earth was Clarissa Conti doing in this school?
"Clarissa Conti. Resident nice girl, and teacher's favorite. Involved in everything that there is to be involved with in this school, and models on the side." Piper sighed. "Also on the dance team, where she has been in the center for the last ten routines. Daughter of…"
"Jessica Conti," Claire murmured along with Piper. Jessica was one of the most famous supermodels of Claire's mom's age, with golden blonde curls and alluring green eyes.
"Yup. And Richard Conti, a Illinois Senator." Piper said with finality. Clarissa was on Alicia's level of beauty, if not more. Claire could tell she was tall, even when sitting down. Dirty blonde ringlets fell to her lower back, set off perfectly by her slightly tanned complexion. Her narrow eyes were a pale green, her lips a pinky-red and a beauty mark was situated next to her philtrum.
As Claire stared, Clarissa glanced up to meet her eyes. Claire quickly looked away, but not fast enough.
"God damn it, Claire," Piper cursed under her breath. Claire looked at her friend, noticing a look of dread on her classic features. "You caught their attention."
Claire glanced back at the table, noticing that Clarissa was getting up. Claire watched in horror as the picturesque blonde headed straight for them. Clarissa was dressed as perfectly as she looked, with dark wash skinnies, black Frye boots and a tight knit cream-colored sweater that ended at her hips.
"Omigod, what do I do?" Claire whispered out of the corner of her mouth, trying to appear nonplussed as the blonde neared them. Was Claire's outfit good enough? A brand new silky red James Perse tee tucked into black sevens, with a caramel colored knit Aritzia cardigan. Her black Sorels were so not fashionable, but hopefully they blended in with the jeans.
"Just go with it," Piper said while smiling at Clarissa.
"Hey Clar," Piper ventured, as the blonde stopped before them.
"Hey Piper!" Clarissa seemed genuine as she returned Piper's greeting. "Ready for practice after school?"
"Dreading it," Piper smiled. Claire was utterly confused. Piper had sounded like she hated Clarissa with
"Oh me too! Now, I had to come over and introduce myself to the new girl." Clarissa turned her gaze on Claire. Claire suddenly felt very, very small in the presence of the 5'7 seventh grader, herself being barely 5'0.
"I'm Clarissa Conti," she said, extending a palm.
"Claire Lyons," Claire ventured, meeting Clarissa's palm with her own. "Nice to meet you."
"Oh, it's simply a pleasure," Clarissa said, leaving her eyes on Claire. "Hmm… Claire, would you like to come sit with my friends and I? We'd all simply love to get to know you better. Piper, of course you too."
Claire had a feeling this wasn't as spontaneous of an invitation as Clarissa would lead her to believe.
"Oh, no," Piper stepped back, giving Claire an apologetic smile. "I have to discuss a few things with the debate team. I'll see you in fifth period, Claire."
Claire glowered at the girl's retreating back. What a traitor.
"Well, then, Claire," Clarissa gave her a gigantic beam. "What do you say?"
AN: What'd you think? Introduction chapter, so I hope you like my OCs! I took some time thinking about how to make them different than the PC, for one there's only three, and they're all more alike.
** Review Question (answer in the box below): Which OC do you like the best so far? Clarissa, Genevieve or Heidi?
So, anyway, do you think Claire will say yes? How do you think Zach will play in (Ch 2)?
Reviews are highly appreciated! Even a few words will be cherished in my heart forever and ever.
-Bridget
