Sweetest Sin
Disclaimer – I do not own Mean Girls. If I did, do you think I'd be writing fanfiction for it?
Author's Note: This is mainly focused on Gretchen and a new possible love interest for her. I have a good idea as to where I'm going with this, so it should move along pretty well. There will definitely be a lot of plot twists once it gets underway ;). I love feedback, so let me know what you think.
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Gretchen Wieners sat in her second period algebra two class trying to keep her eyes open long enough to take in some idea as to what the day's lesson was remotely about. Math was not her high point in her academic career at North Shore. For years she struggled to keep her grades at least on an average level in order to please her demanding parents. Adding in the fact that Jason ditched her last night for some other girl, there was little room in her mind for all of this new information. Keeping all of Regina's secrets tucked away was hard enough without boyfriend blues and graphing equations.
The bell reverberated through the room, bringing her back from her reverie. As she stood from her seat and went to gather her books, someone bumped into her, knocking her stack onto the floor. Scurrying to collect her things from the linoleum, she glanced up and gasped silently to herself.
Jake Zimmerman.
She felt her heart skip a beat as he handed her notebook back. She had a secret crush on him for years. Even in kindergarten, when they would play tag at recess and throughout elementary school when she would be placed in front of him when they lined up for the restroom or when she got to sit behind him because they were seated in alphabetical order. She remembered how silky smooth his hair always looked, and even now when she was seated so close to him she couldn't help but fight the urge to reach out and run her hand through it.
"I'm so sorry. I'm such a klutz sometimes."
Time froze as the words escaped his mouth. He was so sweet, so polite. Then the horrible realization struck. Regina wouldn't approve. Jake, to the queen bee herself, was nothing more than an expendable band geek. And Gretchen Wieners wasn't allowed to associate with him. Not if she wanted to stay in the hive.
"Thank you," was all she could muster, thinking a moment longer about her restrictions.
If only she could leave girl world just long enough to find out what it would be like to have the feel of his hair running through her fingers, of their lips clashing in a fiery passion… But she wasn't getting any such chance as long as Regina was in the picture.
Gretchen watched as Jake grinned at her, then turned and walked out the door. Ms. Norbury came up to her, looking curiously while Gretchen continued staring at the empty space in the doorway where Jake had been standing.
"You two would actually make a cute couple, you know."
Gretchen turned her stare on Ms. Norbury, feigned surprise etched across her features. "Wh…?"
"I could tell from the way you couldn't take your eyes off of him as he walked out the door and the way your cheeks keep getting redder the more I talk about it," she said, pointing out the obvious.
Gretchen looked at the ground, hoping she could escape soon and finish off the next period before heading to lunch. "I don't know…"
"The question you need to ask yourself is do you like him?" Ms. Norbury tried to look underneath the locks of hair blocking her view of Gretchen's face while she waited for an answer.
"Well… He is kind of cute… And I've known him my whole life, b-"
"There you go," Ms. Norbury cut her off. "Now I think you better get off to your next class before you're late."
Gretchen smiled faintly as she pushed her way through the students entering the room.
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Gretchen sat her tray topped with a salad, apple, and Diet Coke onto the usual lunch table next to Cady, still thinking about her earlier collision with Jake. She wanted a plan to spend more time with him but didn't want Regina to find out. She glanced around the cafeteria, searching for any signs of Regina or Karen.
"Where is everyone?"
"Regina is still in the bathroom trying to… take care of a large something-er-other that showed up on her forehead. Karen is trying to calm her down," Cady said, looking up from her sandwich.
"Oh," Gretchen breathed, relieved that there shouldn't be a chance of Regina stumbling in before she could ask the question that was plaguing her all morning. "Hey," she said, flicking her fork through her salad, "can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything."
Gretchen paused, trying to gather the right words. "How did you get Aaron to spend more time with you without Regina finding out?"
Cady's eyes grew wide with shock. "Why do you ask?"
Just as the words left Cady's mouth, Jake walked into Gretchen's viewing area. Their gazes met and Gretchen could feel her cheeks scorch bright pink as he flashed her an award winning smile. She shied away, looking down at her hands folded in her lap, trying not to seem totally obvious.
"I see now," Cady broke the silence, having caught her friend's reaction. "You like him, don't you?"
"Regina definitely won't approve," Gretchen replied halfheartedly.
"Well, who is he?" Cady asked, sitting on the edge of her seat.
"Jake Zimmerman," Gretchen replied, holding her breath as she stole another glance at him as he sat down with the 'art freaks'. "He's in the band. He also plays soccer with Aaron, but you know how Regina is when it comes to anyone who could fit into the 'geek' category," Gretchen sighed, giving Cady a downcast look.
"In that case," Cady began, "Aaron was helping me with my calculus. I never told Regina and she never found out. Maybe there's something you two could work on after school?"
"There might be something," Gretchen said, thinking things over. She looked over her shoulder and saw a disgruntled Regina walking their way. "Promise this won't leave the two of us?" she asked, panicked.
"You've got my word."
Gretchen sat back in her seat, breathing a sigh of relief that she made some headway into a plan to get closer to Jake. Regina took her seat across from Cady just as Gretchen's thoughts drained of all but Jake.
