Thank you to everyone who viewed and also reviewed the story! :) Here's chapter two for you.
Beth stood still, her eyes surveying a piece of paper in her hand. She allowed her gaze to linger for another moment before neatly folding it and stuffing it into her pocket.
"Beth?" A girl spoke her name evenly, causing Beth's green eyes to glance up sharply, somewhat alarmed.
"Oh," Beth breathed and smiled slightly. "Hey, Riley."
"Are we going to start this meeting yet, or what?" Riley raised an eyebrow, indicating the other sixteen people in the room.
Beth blinked her eyes.
"I invited someone."
Suddenly, the room perked up. It was rare that they ever had any new members or visitors. The Vegetarian Club certainly wasn't the most popular club in the school, for obvious reasons.
"Really?" One boy asked, sitting himself more upright.
"Who?" Another girl wondered.
"Another Veggie?" A girl chimed in, her accent sporting an obnoxious twang.
Beth wanted to cringe, but she held her own. Truthfully, she hadn't even bothered to ask Kate whether or not she was a Vegetarian. She was just so desperate to get her before anyone else influenced her.
Knowing how this school worked, Beth was one-hundred percent positive that another group or clique would've snatched Kate up within seconds had she not intervened. Oddly enough, Beth wasn't prepared to allow that to happen.
"Well?" Riley raised her voice, to snap Beth back to attention.
"She, uh—"
At that moment, there was a rapping sound on the door. Beth was infinitely grateful. Smiling dismissively to the group of furiously curious teens, she began toward the door. Her heart froze briefly in her chest as she reached for the doorknob and flung the door open.
It was Kate. She had actually shown up! Beth was shocked, to say the very least.
"Kate," Beth's grin was quickly manifesting on her soft features. "Glad you could make it."
Kate appeared nervous, which only made Beth grin even more.
"Yeah," She nodded, swallowing. "Sorry I'm late. I kind of… got lost."
Beth giggled and shook her head, moving aside to let the other girl in. The other club members were craning their necks intensely, trying to get a peek of their newest potential member.
"Don't worry about it," Beth shelved the notion and shrugged. "You're here now."
Kate nodded gratefully, yet anxiously, and then slowly made her way into the room. Beth could tell that she was very uncomfortable. She knew that she would have to go out of her way to make Kate feel more welcome. After all, she was currently under the heated gaze of some of the school's most tensely extroverted students. These were the kids that attended protests and rallies several times a week.
"Guys," Beth began, her stiffly diplomatic voice sounding again. "This is Kate…" She trailed off, realizing that she had forgotten Kate's last name already. Grinning somewhat awkwardly, she side-glanced Kate who twitched her lips upward uneasily.
"Spencer," Kate muttered softly.
"Kate Spencer!" Beth larked, laughing in order to ease the silence. "Yes, this is Kate Spencer. She's not only visiting for the first time today, but she's also new to Forest Hills, too. So," Her eyes flashed abruptly. "play nice, or else."
A few of the members laughed, while others nodded understandingly. They clearly felt sorry for Kate, though Beth couldn't necessarily place why.
Beth glanced over to Kate, and then motioned over toward two empty seats.
"Come on," She said, her voice soft. "Sit."
As she spoke, Beth curled her fingers around Kate's wrist, causing the blond-haired girl to flinch slightly. Beth ignored her standoffish response and simply led her over to the chairs. Sitting at the head of the group, Beth pressed her knees together, always subconsciously aware of her tempting choice of dress.
Once Kate sat down next to her, Beth cleared her throat, summoning everyone's attention. As soon as all (or, at least, most) eyes were on her, the brunette opened her mouth to speak at last.
"Welcome," She sounded poised, and Beth was thoroughly pleased with herself when she felt Kate's gaze warming on her skin. "It's been a good week, huh?" Beth asked rhetorically, causing several of the others to laugh and nodding knowingly. "That PETA protest went over awesomely, if I do say so myself."
"Yeah!" Riley spoke up. "I think KFC is finally starting to learn their lesson."
"Not fast enough," One girl hissed. "They're still serving that disgusting food."
"You can't change everything in one night, Trixie," Beth commented regrettably.
"It should just be common sense!" Trixie retorted, crossing her arms over her chest.
Beth nodded and quickly let her eyes brush over Kate. She looked rigid and considerably nervous. Kate's eyes were darting around tensely, and her hands were curled tightly in her lap. Beth frowned somewhat, and then moved her gaze back to the group.
"So," Beth allowed the group to simmer down before she continued. "Kate," The blonde jerked to attention. "Why don't you tell us something about yourself?" She prompted gently.
Kate ran her tongue over her lips, and, for a moment, Beth worried that she would give in to her nerves."I was born in Illinois," Kate presented lamely. Beth wished she could reach out and place a comforting hand on Kate's knee; however, there were massive blockades in her way from doing such a thing. "I live with my mom…"
Kate trailed off and glanced over to Beth expectantly. Beth nodded reassuringly to her and offered her a smile.
"I work at Brio as—"
"You what?!" Riley and several others shrieked.
Beth's body tightened.
Kate looked frantic; Beth was certain that she had no idea that she had even said anything wrong.
"You work at that… that slaughterhouse?!" Riley demanded, her eyes ablaze with fury. Kate instantly recoiled.
"Riles," Beth addressed her calmly. "Calm down. It's okay."
"No, Beth, it isn't!" Riley barked, her eyes narrowing furiously. "You invited that animal-murderer to this club! You are always bringing these stupid strays—"
"Riley!" Beth growled the girl's name, causing her to stop her tirade. "Kate's talking," She told her threateningly. "Be quiet, and let her finish."
Riley grumbled irritably and looked away. Beth rolled her eyes, and then looked over to Kate.
"Sorry," She mumbled, as she crossed her legs again. "Go ahead."
Kate hesitated. Beth didn't blame her. She had just been torn to pieces within seconds of her first introduction.
Natalie, a red-haired girl, spoke guardedly.
"What's your favorite place to eat?"
Kate pursed her lips and thought for a moment.
"Well, I don't really know any places around here," She admitted with a shrug. "I really like pizza."
The room was thick with silence again. Beth frowned to herself; guilt crawled beneath her skin. She hated that her own club had turned on Kate. Sighing heavily, she was about to interject when Riley interrupted her.
"Let me guess," Riley started bitterly. "Extra meat and extra cheese, right?" Her eyes were dark with anger. "Beth, just send her out. She doesn't belong here," She locked her eyes with Beth's. "I think you knew that all along."
The challenge made Beth's blood boil with rage. She had no right to assume that, even if it was true. Beth had never asked Kate of her food preferences, but what did that matter? She wanted to extend her hand to Kate, to properly welcome her. She owed her, essentially.
Narrowing her eyes defiantly, Beth purposefully took Kate by the hand and stood.
"Trixie," She address the dark-haired girl from before. "Take over. I'll be right back."
Riley shot Beth a vicious glare, to which Beth merely turned her head away, Kate's hand still cradled in hers, and walked away.
Once they were outside the room, Beth shut the door behind them and reluctantly let go of Kate's hand.
"Look…" Beth chose her words carefully, her eyes rounding with sympathy. "I'm really sorry about them. They're very…"
"Brutal?" Kate offered her, obviously offended by how she had been attacked.
Beth nodded cautiously in forced understanding.
"Yeah," Beth's eyes locked with Kate's, though only for a moment. "I guess I should've asked how you felt about coming to this, huh?"
Kate was silent for several seconds. Her eyes were intense and full of a sentiment that Beth couldn't place her finger on. She was afraid, all of sudden, that Kate would round on her with anger and frustration.
"No," Kate shook her head, sighing. "No, it's… not your fault. You were just," She paused, visibly unsure of what she was trying to say. "trying to be nice."
Beth frowned and clasped her hands together in front of her waist, against her skirt.
"Kate," The girl's name lingered in the air for a moment. Beth was then found herself feeling at a loss for words. There was literally nothing she could say to apologize—nothing worthwhile, anyway. "I'm sorry. Riley, she… I hate that she treated you like that. I don't want you to think that I--"
Beth stopped short. What was she trying to say? Kate was looking up at her with interest.
"She's a bitch," Beth stated soon after, shocked when she noticed that Kate looked dissatisfied. "But, she's… a bit nicer once you get to know her."
"I'm sure she is," Kate said flatly. Beth watched as Kate collected her nerve right before her eyes. "Beth, thank you for the invitation and everything, but… I don't think this is for me. I'm… sorry."
Though Kate sounded genuinely regretful, Beth still felt a stab of embarrassment and disappointment in the pit of her stomach. She had put herself out there for this girl, trying to help her fit in more, and her plans had failed.
Whether or not her plot had been filled with selfish intent didn't even matter anymore. Beth felt a certain pang of aggravation now. She had thought Kate would have at least felt somewhat welcome by her offer, but it had appeared as though it had produced the opposite effect.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Beth replied sadly, not even bothering to hide her discontent. "Thanks for coming, anyway."
Beth watched her with furrowed eyebrows, her arms over her chest. She looked on as Kate's pretty face produced a frown, as well. It appeared as though regret was dulling her evocatively blue eyes. Beth had to glance away to keep herself from feeling anymore empathy for her. She didn't want to get too attached. It was obvious their budding friendship was meeting a premature demise.
Kate nodded uncertainly and tugged at her own shirttail. Her tongue traced over her lips apprehensively.
"I'll see you in class still… right?" The blonde asked, a tangible edge of hope in her voice. Beth couldn't say she was surprised. In spite of their lack of reasons for sustaining a relationship, Beth was the first person that had even given Kate the time of day. Beth had become her enchanting godmother of sorts--something that Beth did not want to be for her in the slightest.
"Well, yeah," Beth managed a small grin. There was no need to continue this conversation; it was getting nowhere fast. "See you later, Kate." She lifted her right hand in a tiny, unceremonious wave.
Outwardly taken aback by Beth's dismissal, Kate nodded, smiled politely, and then walked past her.
Beth watched her leave, completely powerless. Her efforts had been thwarted. No matter how drawn she had been to Kate, she had lost her chance. Now she would be seized and devoured by the rest of the student body while Beth looked on helplessly.
At the very least, Beth had wanted to befriend her. She needed a pleasant escape from the repetition of her daily life. Kate had seemed like a perfect release.
Though, she had made a grave mistake. She had come on too strong too quickly, rendering both sides at a stalemate. There were no moves and no more chances at redemption. That is…
"Kate!" Beth called the other girl's name loudly, her arms falling to her sides. Kate had managed to get halfway down the hallway.
Kate turned around sharply.
"Yeah?" She replied, her voice soft.
Beth moved slowly toward her, keeping a fair distance between them even after she had stopped.
"I was wondering…" Beth's fingertips curled against her own thighs. "Let me make up for this whole thing," She gushed, desperate to hold Kate's attention and interest. "Would you… maybe like to go to a rally with me tomorrow?"
It was all Beth knew to do; she had to fix this.
Kate looked pensive, her eyebrows creased against her forehead and her gaze balanced on Beth.
"Beth, I don't think…"
"Please," The word slipped from Beth's mouth, more reckless than she had originally intended. "I want to make it up to you, Kate. I want you to see that we're… not all bad."
"I wish I could, Beth," Kate replied honestly. "I'm just… not passionate about that kind of stuff. I… wouldn't feel right."
Beth was thankful for Kate's honesty, but, seriously, it wasn't about her being passionate about the same things that Beth was: it was about getting to know one another, about neither of them having to spend more time alone than necessary.
"Kate, that's not important," Beth reasoned, taking a small step toward her. Kate, however, stepped back.
"I'm sorry," Kate spoke meekly.
Beth's shoulders slumped. There went her last chance, out the window.
"Uhm," She exhaled heavily and glanced aside for a second before looking back toward Kate. "It's okay," She raised her hand dismissively. "Yeah. I get it."
Kate nodded, her outer appearance more than just a tad awkward. Beth began to wonder if this whole situation had even gotten to Kate at all.
"See you," Beth muttered pointlessly, before turning her back to Kate. She wasn't about to stick her neck out there again for her anytime soon.
For the first time in her life, her pride had been damaged. Beth had always been confident, in-control, and at ease. And then Kate Spencer came along and knocked her straight to the ground, right off her high-horse.
Beth knew that this was a lost chance that she would later fully regret.