Disclaimer: I don't own it!
Summary: it's the gang's sophomore year of high school, but when Lizzie finds out what Gordo did, she completely changes.
***Reap What You Sow***
The next day at school, as I stepped out of my mom's car, I realized the full weight of my plight. Not only were my two closest friends in the world the scummiest human beings alive, but they were also my entire social circle. And by casting them aside, I was left with the option of finding a new group -- and quickly. I couldn't be the only one left alone.
I glanced around the hallway. I saw Tudgeman and Veruca chatting animatedly at the Tudge's locker. As I stepped closer, I heard the word "Gordo". I continued on my trek as though I didn't see them.
Reaching my locker, I saw her out of the corner of my eye. Kate Sanders.
Kate used to be a sweet person. Then all of a sudden she transformed into the worlds' biggest bitch. Unfeeling, uncaring, concerned only for herself and her own popularity. She didn't let anyone get close enough to hurt her, and by doing so, people wanted all the more to be close to her.
She had that self-confidence, that unattainableness that I so desperately needed for myself. I had to become her.
Slamming my locker shut, I walked over to hers and leaned on the wall next to it. She looked at me distastefully. "*Lost*, Losie?"
I remained stoic. I had to prove that I was willing to shed my good girl image, my annoying naivety, everything that *she* used to be and had shed.
I saw my opportunity. Larry was walking past, having part ways with Veruca at his locker. I fixed a sickly sweet smile on my face, the kind that Kate was infamous for, right before she ripped out your soul. "Oh, Tudge, is that a new shirt?" I didn't even give him time to consider what I'd said. "Oops. I thought I was talking to someone with *actual* fashion sense and hygiene habits. My apologies."
"Lizzie..?" Tudgeman said, looking more shocked and confused than anything.
I forced my heart to freeze over. I didn't want to hurt Tudgeman, he was a sweet guy, but it had to be done. The old Lizzie was history. Instead of meeting his eyes, I tossed my hair and looked away distastefully, a clear cut indicator that this conversation was *over*. For a few seconds, I could feel his eyes boring into me, felt the weight of that hurt stare. I ignored it, and he moved on.
Kate looked at me semi-approvingly. "Nice one, McGuire."
"Thanks."
"You know, you show real potential."
I cocked an eyebrow at her, and my voice stayed coolly detached. Disinterested. "Do I?" I could play this game just as well as she could.
"Yeah. I'd always pegged you as an insufferable goody-goody, but clearly I was mistaken."
"Clearly," I agreed, and we were walking to class together.
I walked into biology side by side with Kate Sanders, and Gordo and Miranda, sitting as far away from each other as they could, looked at me in alarm. I ignored them and sat with Kate. We ignored the teacher all through class, giggling and chatting about inconsequential things. If anyone dared approach us, we shot them down with a withering stare, sometimes a catty remark. I loved this new process. Don't let anyone get close.
When the bell rang, Gordo had the audacity to approach. Miranda, seeing this, lurked by the doorway, ready to run to his aide, more likely ready to get the hell out. Cowardice. I could smell it across the room, and I thrived on that. She was afraid of me now. Afraid of what I had become. Good. She should be. She had driven me to this.
"Lizzie, can we talk?" Gordo said in a voice that was quiet and uncertain.
I looked to Kate, blatantly avoiding his stare. "Did you hear something?"
"Nothing," she agreed with a triumphant look at Gordo.
I got up out of my seat, and shoved my notebook in my bag. "Please, Lizzie, I just want to explain."
I dared to look at him; he looked pitiful. Remorseful. For the briefest of seconds, I felt sorry for him...then I realized I should've been feeling sorry for me. He was all whiny because I'd cast him aside? Too damn bad. He'd cast me aside first. He'd chosen *her* over me. He'd lied, he'd made empty promises, and worst of all, I'd believed every word. It was unforgivable. "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't speak Loser," I said, brushing past him, and then Miranda, and into the hallway as a new person.
Summary: it's the gang's sophomore year of high school, but when Lizzie finds out what Gordo did, she completely changes.
***Reap What You Sow***
The next day at school, as I stepped out of my mom's car, I realized the full weight of my plight. Not only were my two closest friends in the world the scummiest human beings alive, but they were also my entire social circle. And by casting them aside, I was left with the option of finding a new group -- and quickly. I couldn't be the only one left alone.
I glanced around the hallway. I saw Tudgeman and Veruca chatting animatedly at the Tudge's locker. As I stepped closer, I heard the word "Gordo". I continued on my trek as though I didn't see them.
Reaching my locker, I saw her out of the corner of my eye. Kate Sanders.
Kate used to be a sweet person. Then all of a sudden she transformed into the worlds' biggest bitch. Unfeeling, uncaring, concerned only for herself and her own popularity. She didn't let anyone get close enough to hurt her, and by doing so, people wanted all the more to be close to her.
She had that self-confidence, that unattainableness that I so desperately needed for myself. I had to become her.
Slamming my locker shut, I walked over to hers and leaned on the wall next to it. She looked at me distastefully. "*Lost*, Losie?"
I remained stoic. I had to prove that I was willing to shed my good girl image, my annoying naivety, everything that *she* used to be and had shed.
I saw my opportunity. Larry was walking past, having part ways with Veruca at his locker. I fixed a sickly sweet smile on my face, the kind that Kate was infamous for, right before she ripped out your soul. "Oh, Tudge, is that a new shirt?" I didn't even give him time to consider what I'd said. "Oops. I thought I was talking to someone with *actual* fashion sense and hygiene habits. My apologies."
"Lizzie..?" Tudgeman said, looking more shocked and confused than anything.
I forced my heart to freeze over. I didn't want to hurt Tudgeman, he was a sweet guy, but it had to be done. The old Lizzie was history. Instead of meeting his eyes, I tossed my hair and looked away distastefully, a clear cut indicator that this conversation was *over*. For a few seconds, I could feel his eyes boring into me, felt the weight of that hurt stare. I ignored it, and he moved on.
Kate looked at me semi-approvingly. "Nice one, McGuire."
"Thanks."
"You know, you show real potential."
I cocked an eyebrow at her, and my voice stayed coolly detached. Disinterested. "Do I?" I could play this game just as well as she could.
"Yeah. I'd always pegged you as an insufferable goody-goody, but clearly I was mistaken."
"Clearly," I agreed, and we were walking to class together.
I walked into biology side by side with Kate Sanders, and Gordo and Miranda, sitting as far away from each other as they could, looked at me in alarm. I ignored them and sat with Kate. We ignored the teacher all through class, giggling and chatting about inconsequential things. If anyone dared approach us, we shot them down with a withering stare, sometimes a catty remark. I loved this new process. Don't let anyone get close.
When the bell rang, Gordo had the audacity to approach. Miranda, seeing this, lurked by the doorway, ready to run to his aide, more likely ready to get the hell out. Cowardice. I could smell it across the room, and I thrived on that. She was afraid of me now. Afraid of what I had become. Good. She should be. She had driven me to this.
"Lizzie, can we talk?" Gordo said in a voice that was quiet and uncertain.
I looked to Kate, blatantly avoiding his stare. "Did you hear something?"
"Nothing," she agreed with a triumphant look at Gordo.
I got up out of my seat, and shoved my notebook in my bag. "Please, Lizzie, I just want to explain."
I dared to look at him; he looked pitiful. Remorseful. For the briefest of seconds, I felt sorry for him...then I realized I should've been feeling sorry for me. He was all whiny because I'd cast him aside? Too damn bad. He'd cast me aside first. He'd chosen *her* over me. He'd lied, he'd made empty promises, and worst of all, I'd believed every word. It was unforgivable. "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't speak Loser," I said, brushing past him, and then Miranda, and into the hallway as a new person.
