Right, okay, Gwen's in the popular group now. Thanks for reviewing, PrincessCrystalgem and Gucci Mane LaFlare (Yep, that's why I picked Lindsay, because she's decent when she's surrounded by decent people).
As Gwen discovered over the next few weeks, getting protected from the bullies was one thing. Being one of the popular girls was another thing entirely. She still managed to sit with Emma in history class, but at lunch, the popular group expected her to sit with them, and often write forgeries for them. Like if Lindsay had another returned test her parents were supposed to sign because she was failing, or if Heather wanted to play a prank on some poor kid by sending them mean notes.
She started getting to know the girls, too. She had never liked Heather, even in kindergarten, but now they were spending so much time together, she really learned to hate the girl. She always pushed herself forward, always expected things handed to her within seconds of asking for them, and never had a nice word to say about anyone.
Gwen didn't like Courtney much, either. She was quieter, but Gwen kept seeing this angry or jealous look in her eyes. The only reason it seemed that Courtney didn't talk more was because there was a fifty-fifty chance of Heather telling her to shut up. And Courtney knew her silence was worth her place in the clique, so she always just apologized. There was a lot brewing below the surface, though. Nothing like that to make Gwen feel tense.
Lindsay wasn't so bad. Gwen still didn't like her, but for different reasons, more because she was easily led and not very intelligent. She seemed more natural and transparent than the other two, but her lack of brains drove Gwen to exasperation. It was hard to hold a conversation with someone like that, especially as she was also pretty shallow. She knew fashion, but that was about it. But Gwen still couldn't find it in herself to really hate Lindsay, because if the other two weren't prompting her, Lindsay was actually a nice person. Tactless, but nice.
The clique also expected Gwen to drop everything and come over to their houses or invite them to hers outside of school. The second they found out Gwen's mom was hardly ever home because of her six-day nine to five week (only Sundays off), they doubled down on it, even when Gwen mentioned she was supposed to watch her little brother. That was more of an excuse, though – Kevin was fourteen and could take care of himself. For two weeks, Gwen missed her usual movie night with Emma. The first time, Heather invited herself and the others to Gwen's house for a sleepover, which was more of an excuse to throw out all the clothes they didn't want her to wear anymore, along with her goth makeup, so they could replace all of it at the mall the next day with new things that made her look how they wanted her to look. They even made her redye her hair back to its natural brown-red. Gwen only managed to save one purple lipstick, foundation since she was naturally pale and it didn't change much (and she now had to wear some blusher over it) and a few plain blouses and skirts (mostly in blue – they really expected her to never wear any other colour, apart from a few blacks and greys – they let her keep a grey pleated check skirt because it went with her blue blazer), and one dress that looked so Gothic Lolita that Courtney spoke up for her and said "Halloween's coming up – she'd look great for one of those parties."
Heather had nodded and said "Fine. That's true. We'll leave that in your closet."
The second week, the girls invited Gwen over to Lindsay's house for another sleepover, mainly because she had the biggest, most lavish house. Heather and Courtney weren't exactly from working-class background like Gwen and Kevin with their mom struggling to make ends meet, but Lindsay's dad owned an exclusive jewellery store. And again, it felt like they were comparing her to them. Gwen wasn't rich enough, wasn't pretty enough, wasn't good enough. She was just there because they wanted her talent and in return, they brought her at least close to their level. They weren't real friends.
Gwen compensated by inviting Emma over on Sunday afternoons instead, when she was home, but it wasn't the same watching movies in the dark with pizza and popcorn.
"I'm sorry I keep flaking out," she said on the second week, looking guilty.
"Oh, I understand," Emma said brightly. "I'm happy for you, having other friends. As long as you're still my best friend underneath all that. You are, right?"
Gwen summoned up a smile, although it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Of course. We have history. This group…it's not like having friends. It's more like work, with the job basically just being popular. We have a dress code, obligations to hang out, paperwork, you know?" Gwen rolled her eyes as she spoke, trying to turn it into a joke.
Emma giggled a little, as Gwen had hoped. "I guess I get that. And I really do understand. High school, all that. Chase used to tell me that the reason I got picked on was because I was prey and the only way to stop being prey was to be a predator. But you're proving him wrong, because you're pretty and popular now, and you're still nice."
Pricks of conscience emerged within Gwen. She had done some mean things lately, only at Heather's orders, but still. She'd been convincing herself there were lines she wouldn't cross, but she wasn't so sure she was actually as nice a person as Emma was saying. It was hard to deny, hanging out with mean girls often made Gwen herself feel mean.
She didn't even notice how Emma's voice came a bit wistful as she mentioned her ex. Usually when she talked about Chase, she just got angry. But in the summer, she'd stopped mentioning him so much, and now, it was as if she was starting to miss him.
During the third week, on the Monday, Heather told the other girls that Ripper was supposed to be throwing a major homecoming party on Friday night and that they needed to plan their outfits. It wasn't a big deal for Gwen, since she had so few things left, and all of them were blue, which was the main requirement.
But on Friday, as she was standing just outside the cafeteria, talking to Emma between history class and lunch, Courtney came up to her. "Gwen! Heather wants you. Like, now."
Gwen nodded. "See you later, Ems," she said as the green girl dragged her into the cafeteria.
Heather greeted them with "Gwen! I need a forgery in Chase's handwriting, like, a while ago. You'll need a solid backing. Courtney, that's you."
Courtney obediently leaned over the table, giving Gwen a slightly slanted surface to write on. Heather dictated it. "'Hey, beautiful, I've been thinking about you, and I realize that I was wrong to treat you the way I did. Are you coming to Ripper's homecoming party? I'd love to see you. Maybe we can talk there. I miss you.' And put an XO."
Gwen wrote it down. "So what's this about?" she asked as she gave it to Heather.
Heather grinned maliciously. "Remember how Chase was dating Chubster last year? That girl you used to go around with?"
"OMG, I remember!" Lindsay squealed. "They looked super weird together. She looked like she could body-slam him. And she's been watching the football team practices recently. We know she wants him back."
Gwen gaped in horror, trying to grab the note back as soon as she registered what they wanted to do to her friend. Heather held it out of her reach.
"You can't do this!" Gwen protested. "You know why they broke up in the first place! Who knows what Chase will do to her if she gets back with him?"
Heather suddenly turned on her. "Have you got a problem?" she demanded. "I've brought you up from nothing. You've come this far, so what are you complaining about? I don't let people talk to me like that. I'd normally tear that blazer off you and send you back to the loser pile, but I'm feeling nice today. So I'm going to let it go – as long as you let it go."
Gwen knew she was defeated. And she knew that, given Emma's history with Chase, she might actually forgive him if she thought he was sorry for what he'd done. When, later that lunchtime, Emma came up to her and whispered that Chase had actually written a note saying he was wrong for cutting her brakes and wanted to meet her at Ripper's party, Gwen looked between her and the popular clique. A part of her wanted to say screw the clique, she was going to tell Emma. Another part of her wanted to just tell Emma that Chase wasn't worth another chance and she should just ignore the note, and then she'd never have to admit to writing it, and hopefully Emma would come to her senses.
But then she looked back at the girls, and knew that she couldn't give up that protection. At least, not yet. Maybe closer to graduation. "Hope it works out," she finally managed to choke out, managing a smile. "I guess I'll see you there."
As Emma left, Courtney appeared at Gwen's side. "It's only the natural order of things," she said in a soft, gentle tone. "People like us and her don't mix. It's for the best. Even if you think you miss her-"
"Shut up, Courtney!" Heather snapped. Clearly she didn't want Gwen to think she missed her long-time friend. "Isn't it your purge time, anyway?"
A flush of red appeared under Courtney's coffee-coloured skin. Even embarrassment – or anger, probably a mix of the two – didn't make the clique members any less than gorgeous. Gwen, as usual, caught the usual flash of jealousy in Courtney's eyes before she lowered her head and muttered out her usual meek reply of "Sorry, Heather."
As the clique began to walk away, Gwen made to go with them, but then she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder.
She turned to see someone she was sure she'd never met.
Well, you might know who he is. Take a guess if you're not sure. It might be the person you don't expect to play this role, but…well, Gwen seems to have a thing for slightly edgy guys, doesn't she? She's not like Courtney with her bad-boy thing, but still…oh, and that grey skirt the Heathers let Gwen keep? I've noticed Veronica often has a grey skirt, not a blue one. Sometimes her skirt is blue, but it's more often grey, so Gwen now has both.