-1Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
Charity stood dumbfounded by Lauren's words. She had apologized for last night, why was Lauren still being so defensive? Shrugging Charity headed to her locker. She hoped her mother was having better luck with her apologies.
She had just grabbed her math book when Lila skipped up to her.
"Last night was fun huh?" Lila asked with a huge grin. Charity bit her lip. The two of them had come up with an elaborate revenge plan against Lauren last night. It started with Charity apologizing and trying to get on Lauren's good side. She and Lila had figured the betrayal they had planned would hurt worse if it came from a friend. That was before Charity had spoken to her mother. The apology she had given to Lauren was sincere, but how to explain that to Lila?
"Yeah, about that--"Charity began, but was cut off by the warning bell.
"Gotta go, talk to you at lunch?" Lila asked as she walked off in the opposite direction of Charity's class.
"Looks like." Charity replied to the space where Lila had been. Charity had math class with Tyler. She thought that would be the perfect time to apologize for her antics the night before.
"Tyler, right? I'm Charity Scott. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I was for last night." Charity said, sitting in the desk beside him. He gave her a confused look.
"I kissed you.." Charity trailed off her explanation.
"Oh, right, you're the strange girl." Tyler nodded. Charity felt herself blushing. She wasn't sure if she was embarrassed because he remembered or because she had to remind him.
"It was no big deal. You're new right?" He asked. Charity smiled and nodded.
"Well hey, a word of advice, stay away from Lila. She's my ex. I'm guessing she put you up to it, right? She's bad news." Tyler said quietly.
"That's kind of hard to do, we're on the cheerleading squad together. I'm co-captain." Charity explained.
"Oh, I didn't realize. Well I guess I'll be seeing you around a lot more then. The team and the squad party together quite a bit." Tyler told her with a big smile. Charity's smile wavered just a bit. It kind of felt like her sister's boyfriend was flirting with her. Charity had never been so impatient for a class to begin. Luckily the bell rang and class began. One very boring math lesson later, Charity was throwing her books into her bag.
"Hey, I'm having a party this Friday after the game. You should come, but do me a favor and don't bring Lila." Tyler grinned. Before Charity could respond he took off with his friends.
Charity couldn't believe her luck. Lila's plan was unfolding perfectly now that she wanted nothing to do with it. Charity's morning flew by since she was dreading lunch with Lila.
"Hey friend." Lila called to her after Charity had gotten her lunch. She sighed, she'd been hoping to escape unnoticed.
"Hey, we need to talk." Charity said, biting the bullet. She was going to have to tell her sooner or later, right?
"Did you know there's a party Friday? That would be a great time to hang out with Tyler." Lila said mischievously.
"Yeah, he invited me actually. Said to ditch you though." Charity said offhandedly. It was the perfect "out". She could just pretend that Tyler didn't want her hanging around Lila and not have to have another confrontation.
"Really?" Lila pouted. Charity nodded sympathetically. She picked up her lunch and smiled and walked over to where Lauren, Tyler and the rest of the squad were sitting.
"Is this seat taken?" She asked, standing behind an empty chair. She noticed Jenny opening her mouth and Lauren shaking her head at Jenny before replying.
"Course not, have a seat." Lauren told her with a smile.
"Thanks. I had to get away from Lila. She so jealous. It's not pretty." Charity said, shaking her head.
"I figured she would be. That girl is bad news." Tyler spoke up, reiterating his words to Charity earlier. Charity glanced at Lauren and Jenny. They were deep in conversation and Jenny kept giving her dirty looks.
"So, I was wondering if you were any good at math? Cause I was completely lost this morning." Tyler asked her. Charity didn't know what to say. She was decent at math, and she had understood today's lesson, but she didn't know if helping Tyler was the right thing to do in her quest to befriend Lauren.
"Uh, yeah I guess, I mean I got what we did today." She replied. She decided that honesty was always the best policy.
"Great, is there anyway you could help me after practice? I could get coach to leave the gym unlocked and we could work there." Tyler asked. Suddenly she realized that Lauren and Jenny were both staring at her.
"Sure. No problem." She answered brightly. She could prove to Lauren that she didn't have any interest in Tyler other than friendship, right? Jenny was looking at her like she was plotting all the ways she wanted Charity to die. Charity gave Lauren an innocent smile.
"That's cool, right Lauren?" She asked, sincerely wanting to know.
"Sure, he's not going to get math help from me, unless he wants to fail." Lauren laughed.
"Great, its settled then." Tyler said, excusing himself from the table.
"Lauren may trust you, new girl, but I don't. Keep that in mind." Jenny said menacingly as she and Lauren took their things to the trash.
"Will do." Charity whispered to herself.