Chapter Four: She Who Lives In The Shadow Of Another

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Vaminos.

That means 'come with me' in Spanish, and a lot of times I've heard her say it. An expression that comes loosely out of her mouth whenever she's with her friends.

Whatever.

That's another expression she uses from time to time, but there's another girl who uses that like it's a requirement for daily living - like she'd die without it.

Miranda and Claire use these expressions, but to me, if we're going to talk about expressions, well, they have never fully expressed themselves at all. They have always been in the shadows of Lizzie and Kate, respectively.

I can't recall an instance where they really stood up for what they believed in. Sure, Claire once dared to bump off Kate from cheerleading captain and reigned for a while, but I'm sure after that incident and what happened after, she won't be making any similar plans in the future.

Miranda, on the other hand, may sometimes fight with Lizzie but almost always it's her that runs to her and ask for forgiveness; for Lizzie to take her back as a friend.

Now that I think more about it, those two sicken me.

If there's one thing I hate other than being labeled, it's people trying to blend in with others by being their shadows, oblivious to the fact that everyone knows they just want to be that person. Except maybe that person, because how one can live knowing that fact is beyond me.

My literature class has just finished and I'm off to study hall. Those two share the period with me, but it's always just Miranda who I catch at the library. Claire usually uses that time for cheerleading practice.

As I headed to my usual spot at the corner of the library, I began to look around. It was only a matter of time before Miranda would come in, put her headphones on, and read the latest fanzine that she always has in her bag.

My heart stopped still. Claire actually walked into the library. There were many tables left, but she chose to sit in the table across mine. She was facing me and I was facing her. It doesn't take a genius to know that it was intentional, and what was coming next.

"Hey, fatso." She said loudly. "Aren't you supposed to be in a pigpen or something?"

Random kids laughed and I felt my cheeks burn. I just ignored and her and pretended not to hear anything, which is the usual thing I do.

"Hey Claire," I heard someone behind me say. "Leave Veruca alone. Go find a brain."

It was Miranda.

Claire snickered and muttered some insults under her breath before finally opening her book, proceeding to do some unfinished homework.

Miranda took a seat beside me. "Hey, don't mind Claire."

I smiled weakly at her. "Thanks."

"Sure no problem," she said, before brining out her MP3 player. In a matter of seconds she was lost in Britney-land.

Claire obviously is in the list. Miranda was in there initially, but what she did now I'm forced to re-think my decision.

Could she be off my plan? I pondered.

I look at her as she's reading her magazine - it was something named M, I think, with Aaron Carter on the cover - her eyes were so transfixed on it.

She takes her headphones off for a few seconds. "Do you know I was in one of Aaron's videos?" she asks me, smiling.

"Yeah, that was cool." I lied. I've seen it once, maybe twice, and all I can say is it sucked. I don't like Aaron Carter much but that video made me hate him even more. That, and the fact that Lizzie, Miranda, and even Gordo and Lizzie's kid brother were in it.

She puts her headphones back on.

No, she can't be off the list.

I hate people who can't find their own voice. Kate and Claire are full of it, but unfortunately it's the hatred kind of voice. But still, they do have it. Miranda, on the other hand, doesn't. She just keeps on agreeing with what Lizzie says, not even bothering to think. I'm sure she wants to be exactly like Lizzie - if not be Lizzie herself.

Miranda Sanchez is definitely on my list. Wonder how I'll say Vaminos to her.

=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=! =!= Author's Note: The next chapters will be Veruca's point of views on Larry, Parker, Danny, Gordo, and finally Lizzie. Those should cover Chapters 5-7, then Chapters 8 and 9 would be what would happen on the lock-out. I don't know whether to end with 9 or 10 chapters, we'll see.

Anyways, thanks for the reviews! :D =!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=!=! =!=