It's safe to say that I completely forgot about the test when I woke up. In the morning, at school, they announced a candy cane gifting fundraiser in the hallway where you could buy candy canes for your crush or friends. I knew better than to send one to Ms. Norbury. Plans changed after lunch though. Regina brought Aaron to sit with us. She played with his hair and told me to tell him his hair looks sexy pushed back. I could feel Damian's eyes on us, I knew he heard me tell Aaron his hair looked sexy. This was hurting him. That was the final straw. I marched out after lunch and bought two candy canes. One for me and one for Karen, and I listed the sender as Regina.

The candy canes were passed out the next day during English class, which I had with Gretchen. I saw her disappointment when she didn't get any candy canes. I saw her jealousy and hurt when I read out Regina's name. She pulled into the bathroom.

"So she hates me now?"

"I'm sure she doesn't hate you, it probably just got lost."

"This isn't the type of thing that just gets lost. She even called you her best friend in that note. I thought I was her best friend."

"Maybe she has more than one?"

"You know what? If you're her best friend then you should keep all her secrets."

This was it.

"She only bought you those high heels because she knew you wouldn't be able to walk in them. And her hair isn't even naturally blonde, it's dark blonde, she dyes it. And she totally cheats on Aaron, every friday she hooks up with Shane Oman in the North Shore lion costume."

"She makes him wear the costume?"

"No. they're both in the costume. And I never told anyone because I am such a good friend."

"You are a good friend." I comforted her, getting all the information I needed.

"We have to get back to class now."

I texted Janis that she was cheating on Aaron and went back to class. The rumor was spread around to Aaron by calculus. His eyes were a little red when I got there.

"Heyyy, Aaron."

"I know that voice, I don't want pity."

"I just wanted to say sorry."

"Why? You didn't do anything, Regina did."

"I know, but it still sucks for you."

"It's my own fault really. What was expecting getting back in a relationship with her?"

"No, don't think like that. You never could've predicted this."

He weakly smiled at me as the bell rang. When the test started I was only half focused on it and half focused on my dramatic life, I could tell that I wasn't going to do too well on it. But I knew I had to stop doing badly on purpose. If not for me, for Sharon.

Aaron broke up with Regina the next day. During rehearsals she was a military commander, never allowing herself to grieve, instead pushing all her anger on us. At least I knew I had mastered the dance for friday. On friday we were invited back to her house to try the costumes on. Regina's wasn't fitting right. Then we headed off to the performance. I'd never been backstage at a theater, but it was pretty cool. I got a text from Sharon saying good luck. I saw her on the piano and quickly shot back a 'you too'. The showcase started with Damian singing Popular from Wicked. Followed by Kevin G. and a couple other mathletes did a vulgar rap which was cut short by Mr. Duvall. Then it was our turn.

We got out there, started the music, and we posed until the cue. I glanced over at Sharon, whose eyes were centered on me. I turned back to the audience without acknowledgement. We started dancing. 4 steps in and Regina's skirt fell off, revealing her butt to the entire audience. The others rushed off stage and I quickly danced my way off. It was all over social media the next day.

There were posts about people saying I was cool for continuing to dance after the incident. I got so many new followers to my Instagram account. I texted Janis that the plan was working. We all pretended that nothing happened within the plastics circle. Regina was beginning to learn a lesson about all the pain she inflicted on others, and I didn't even feel guilty about it anymore.