Author's Note: Two Updates Today! I know, I know. But I got going and couldn't stop.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 29: The Bitch Is Back
When school started again on Monday, Elena was sitting at lunch with Brad and Tommy, and a bunch of the other hockey guys and cheerleaders. It was nice to be the in crowd, she couldn't argue that, she doubted anyone could. She noticed Angela walking over and Brad clear his stuff off the seat between the two of them. Angela went to sit and Elena dropped her purse on the chair.
"All full," Elena smiled faux sweetly, "and seniors only. Sorry."
"Lenny," Brad said. "Angie always eats with us." Tommy stared at his food. "Ange, sit down." Angela looked at Tommy, wanting some kind of indication that he would actually eat something if she was sitting.
"It's OK," she said. "I'll see you at dinner Brad." She started to walk away and Elena held out her foot and tripped her.
"Woops," Elena said. "Sorry." Angela gathered her things. "Oh and Angie, if you miss practice again, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pull you from the squad for basketball season. There are a lot of eager freshmen girls who want the spot. Just letting you know."
"Thanks for the warning," Angela spit out and walked away.
"Whore," Elena hissed.
"Lena," Tommy looked at her. "You don't have to do this. And she missed all of those practices because of me, you shouldn't punish her."
"I'm not the one you should be mad at," Elena said. "Bradley's the one getting all nicey nicey with her and making his 'I'm falling in love with you' face."
"OK," Brad said, "seriously, as glad as I am that you're out of your up with people phase Lena," she sighed loudly. "That strongly smelled of the night you hit rock bottom."
"Oh trust me Brad," she snorted, "what you saw wasn't anything near rock bottom, I tend to think at least of the beginning of my downswing came the night that we,"
"Both of you quit it!" Tommy said. They looked at him. "Angie and I broke up, you know, me and her. I mean, you two broke up too, but that was years ago, but it somehow seems really fresh right this minute. Elena, if you don't want to hang out with Angela anymore, whatever, I appreciate the gesture I guess, but don't go super bitch on her, she doesn't deserve that." Elena went to talk. "No one deserves that. Brad, I appreciate you being there for her and all, really, just leave me out of it!" He stood up and walked away.
"So that was bad," Brad said.
"Whatever, you're the one who's all hot for his ex," Elena said.
"Do you have to be such a bitch all the time?" He asked. "Jesus Christ Lena, Angie's really hurting and I've been where she is right now. I was the cheater, remember?"
"Vaguely," she mumbled. "You cheated on me too, remember?"
"I like half cheated on you," he said. "I really cheated on Gabrielle." Elena sighed. "She's really having a tough time, and not having you isn't helping her." Elena looked away. "And I'm not into her like that. You and Tommy have been hanging out all the time too, is something going on there?"
"Don't be stupid," she rolled her eyes. "I'm with Dean still."
"Yeah, well," Brad shrugged. "Me and Angie are just friends. That's all." She nodded.
"Hey," Tommy walked outside and saw Angela sitting on the steps shivering.
"Did you come out here to torture me?" She whispered.
"I came out here to apologize," he said and sat down. "For Lena, because you know she won't." She nodded. "Are you and Brad," he sighed, "I mean, I know how he gets when he gets close to a girl and,"
"No!" She looked at him, "we couldn't ever do that to you Tommy." He nodded. "I mean, I guess I could. But he never would."
"I don't know that you could," he sat down. She looked at him.
"Tommy, I'm so sorry," she sighed. "You know that right?" He nodded.
"Did I ever tell you why my parents split up?" He whispered. She shook her head. "My dad cheated on my mom with Pauline." She looked at him. "Tammy found out, she saw them together. Before that they were really, really close, her and dad. She's never forgiven him."
"Wow," she said. "See if you'd opened up to me like that before," he laughed softly.
"The whole thing just brought back all of that," he said. "Like my mom and I are just destined to get really, really hurt by the people we love."
"Oh Tommy," she hugged him. "I'm so sorry, you have no idea. It was the worst mistake I ever could have made."
"Are you and Nick like, a thing now?" He asked.
"No," she said softly. "He doesn't want me anymore." Tommy looked at her and she shuddered. "I know, it was, stupid."
"He's an idiot," Tommy whispered. She looked at him, her eyes wide. "Who wouldn't want you?" He cupped his hand around her face and kissed her softly.
"Tommy," she whispered.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have done that." He stood up and ran the other way. Angela watched him and then started to cry.
Kelly bounced happily across campus, the cold was refreshing, she was in a very good mood. She and Tammy had negotiated to get RDC's spring line mass produced and placed in Saks Fifth Avenue, and got them to sponsor a show for Tammy at fashion week. Every bitchy debutante on the Upper East Side and some on the West would be wearing Tammy's dresses this summer. She stopped when she saw Liam getting coffee.
"Liam," she whispered as he smiled and walked over. "Hi."
"Hi," he said. "It's been a while."
"Yeah," she sighed, "I um, I've been meaning to call you."
"Me too," he said. "Kel, I miss you, and,"
"Oh, I didn't mean," she sighed, "I mean, I miss you too, but I wasn't meaning to call for that reason. We sold RDC to Saks." He looked at her. "We can pay you back for the initial investment now, if you want out."
"I don't want out," he shook his head. "I stand to make a lot of money, I believe in you and Tammy, I want my third of profits, and you have Nichol Corp behind you which gives you legitimacy."
"Thank you Liam," she whispered. He shrugged. "It is good to see you."
"You too," he smiled. "You look great. How was Thanksgiving?"
"Good," she said. "I mean, I've never seen my dad and Ana happier than having us all there and Eva's so big now, she's talking and everything." He nodded. "What about you? How's Grant?"
"Good," he said, "he's got this new girlfriend, she's dumb as a post but gorgeous." She laughed. "He's not going to get over Claire, I don't think. There are some girls you just don't get over."
"Kel," Scooter jogged over, "are you heading home? I forgot my key and," he stopped, "hey Liam."
"I'll meet you at the car," he looked at her. She nodded and he walked away.
"You're living with him," Liam whispered.
"It's not like that," Kelly said, "really, we're just roommates, I mean Claire and Logan got engaged, and he wanted to give them space, it didn't make sense for him to move into the dorm, so we put a bed in the office."
"He's such a little SOB," Liam laughed and shook his head. "Sleeping on the other side of the wall, waiting," he was laughing hysterically now. "It's brilliant."
"Liam," she closed her eyes, "it's not like that."
"Bullshit," he crossed his arms.
"He has a girlfriend, Liam," she sighed. He looked at her. "Her name is Amber, she's a publicist, and she's beautiful and smart and perfect for him. Even Rick likes her."
"I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to,"
"You didn't know," she shrugged. "It is good to see you. If you want to look at the new lineā¦"
"I don't know anything about fashion, Kel," he laughed, "I trust you and Tammy. I'm a silent partner, so I'll be just that, silent."
"OK," she hugged him. "I should go before Scooter has a heart attack."
"Yeah," he nodded. "Of course." She kissed him on the cheek and bounced away to where Scooter was waiting in his car.
"What'd he want?" He asked.
"We were just talking about RDC," she shrugged. "He's not bailing which is great."
"Sure," Scooter mumbled. "Great. Listen, will you go to Logan and Claire's engagement thing with me?"
"Won't Amber want to go?" She frowned.
"Yeah, Amber's not exactly up to meeting my parents yet," he frowned. Kelly nodded. "Come on, it'll be fun, you don't have to worry about impressing my mother anymore, so no pressure." She laughed.
"OK," she said. "I guess I'll go. I do miss your brothers."
"Great," he smiled. "Claire will be happy to have you there." Kelly nodded.
"Hey," Steve said walking into the gallery, where Tammy was behind a counter.
"Hey," she smiled and kissed him. "What are you doing down here? You should be studying for finals!"
"I will study for finals," he said, "tomorrow, tonight I'm taking my girlfriend out to celebrate her amazing deal on her fantastic clothing line." She laughed and kissed him. "Come on, I made us reservations, and made your roommates promise that they'd all be in their rooms when we get back."
"That's incredibly sweet," she said. "I just need to finish up here."
"Hi," Janet walked in. Tammy stared at her. "Hi Tammy."
"Um, hi," Tammy said. "What's up? I don't have the spring line stuff yet, but the Saks people do want to meet with you."
"Oh yeah, great," Janet nodded. "Um, is Dave here?"
"He's in the office," Tammy nodded. "I'll go get him." She was still confused but walked back. "Uh, Dave," she said. He looked up from his desk. "Janet's here?"
"Oh right," he said. "Thanks Tam." They walked out. "Hey baby," Dave kissed Janet.
"Hey," she smiled. "Come on, I have to meet Kiera later, so we have to be quick."
"OK," he nodded. "Tammy, just lock up when you finish up, OK?" Tammy nodded as they ran out.
"What's going on there?" Steve asked.
"God only knows," Tammy said. She grabbed her keys. "But from the looks of things, the bitch is back."
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