BBW (Multiple), Intrigue, Psychology, ~SWG - High school politics gets pretty intense when the cheerleaders and chubby chicks mix it up.
CHAPTER 21 - THE OTHER CANDIDATES:
MONDAY Cady, with her class work caught up, was taking the day off from school as one of her earned free days. She knew her posse friends Elle and Starling were doing the same thing. They had a shopping trip planned for the afternoon. She was in the middle of a facial with her eyes closed and getting her nails done when Karen unexpectedly entered the chic North Shore beauty salon.
Interrupting the attendant at work, Karen happily buzzed; “Hi Cady, its Karen. Sorry to bust in on you but guess what? We’ve both been nominated for prom queen!”
Cady appeared surprised as she cracked open an eye, “You serious? Hey, how did you know I was here?”
Karen pulled up a chair and waved to the attendant, “Don’t let me disrupt the facial!”
“Not an issue” replied the attendant.
She then cheerfully replied to Cady, “Yes, I’m serious and duh, your mother told me.”
Cady enquired about the other nominees, but Karen was for the moment much too absorbed about Cady’s grandiose makeover, “When did you start becoming so high maintenance?”
A rather grand departure, Karen thought from the brainy, fashion dysfunctional chubby gal Cady had been earlier in the school year. But underneath, Karen knew, Cady was still practical.
“Since when is taking pride in my appearance ’high maintenance’? I’m simply a meticulously fetching young lady.” Cady ostentatiously remarked with a smile, her tone mimicking the pretentious plastics.
Karen lifted her eyebrows and acknowledged, “You are that!”
“But anyway, as I was asking, who else has been nominated?”
Whereas Cady was attired in a classy blouse and top of the line slacks, Karen was clothed in a raggedly old sweatshirt and colorful yet cheap looking spandex shorts. Though Cady was heavier than Karen, Cady appeared posh, in touch with style. She’d also already heard the news from her steady beau Tim, which is why she’d come to the shop, but she had too much class to dump that on Karen.
Karen in contrast looked a little lackluster and a little dumpy. Even their hairstyles were opposites, and Karen felt the unspoken difference even if Cady didn’t care. Cady’s wavy red mane looked spectacular, curling over her shoulders while Karen’s blond hair, though shiny, was combed back with a brown beret keeping her bangs in check.
Karen pulled on the edge of her gray sweatshirt, sub-consciously trying to hide her soft potbelly and continued sounding like an uninvolved third part commentator:
“Gretchen and Candace Heston have also been nominated. Candace is like the All-American girl next door, cute and smart, but Gretchen is extremely popular and gorgeous....”
Cady interrupted her friend; “Gretchen is a callous minx who is like the flavor of the month. She’s only popular in her own crowd coz she demeans almost everyone else and they’re afraid of her.”
Karen puffed up her checks and exhaled, “But you have to admit, she’s gorgeous and attracts a lot of preppy wannabes.”
“Stop defending her!”, Cady snapped. “Endorsing Gretchen won’t get you elected queen!”
Karen’s voice softened, “I wasn’t defending her. Trust me, I know all about Gretchen. I was just remarking on her status in school and her looks.”
Cady shrugged her shoulders, “I guess I mistook your statement. Anyway, congratulations on the nomination.”
Karen’s eyes sparkled, a warm smile on her face, “Same too you. Too bad we’re both up for the title coz this means we’re now rivals.”
Cady shook her head, half-grinning, “I guess, but if you’re victorious, I couldn’t lose to a better foe.”
Karen reached over and tightly squeezed Cady’s knee, “Let’s celebrate our nominations with lunch. Ah, once you’re through here of course. There’s this place on Devon Avenue where if you buy three hot dogs the French fries are free!”
Cady’s brow wrinkled, “I appreciate the invite and we should definitely celebrate, but perhaps you haven’t noticed, I’m dieting.”
Covering her mouth in shock, Karen screeched, “You’re dieting? Since when?”
Cady sighed, “Where have you been? Since a couple of weeks now, I’ve already lost 6 pounds.”
Karen kept repeating, “Wow, wow, wow.”
Finally Cady chirped, “Lunch does sounds inviting, though, we’ll go to Morty’s; it’s a little fancy, so when you call the others tell them to dress up. But its my treat.”
Karen nodded her head as Cady further commanded, “I’ll be finished here shortly, so you better run home and dress appropriately. We’ll meet at your place in an hour.”
Cady waved her hand while Karen staggered onto her feet; “Starling’s taking the day off too, probably not even up yet, so call her first on your cell phone. That’ll give you time if you get moving.”
Karen did exactly as she was told. After all, being Queen Bee of her own clique with the Sophomores and Regina didn't preclude her being a friend of her fellow Queen Bee Cady's realm with Starling and Elle.
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Cady’s choice of restaurant wasn’t in the cards for lunch that afternoon. Receiving a fair amount of protest from a highly disgruntled Starling that Morty’s was overpriced and too formal, the gals instead opted for a much more casual cafe. Karen surmised it was for the best, since Cady alone was dressed for anything better than a family style diner.
Starling appeared chunkier than ever in a multicolor sleeveless T-shirt and red sweats. A sizable amount of her increasingly pudgy potbelly protruded over her sweats while her big behind dripped over the chair. Ellie was having a bad hair day, and deciding against cosmetics, choose to go natural. Her attire consisting of a pink blouse and blue jeans didn’t tarnish her beauty but somehow made her look low key. Karen didn’t change her appearance at all other than losing the beret and letting her dazzling blond hair flirt with her shoulders.
Cady took a modest sip of her apple juice before telling her crew, “Let’s arrange a shopping date for Thursday after school to buy our gowns. All agreed?”
The three members of Cady’s crew were with the program. Karen noticed Cady’s more democratic style – even as queen bee she led by asking for consensus rather than simply ordering. Regina and Gretchen were never even near democratic in their approach.
Turning to Starling, Cady inquired, “Have you decided to let Toby escort you?”
Starling took a generously long sip of cola, washing down the hearty bite of burger she devoured, “Actually no. I’m going to wait out my options awhile; somebody else may ask me.”
Starling proceeded to finish the rest of her burger, munching on a large onion ring in between bites. Cady tapped her beautiful manicured nails on the table, “Might I suggest you eat slower?”
Starling consumed the entire onion ring, then snagged a few fries off of Karen’s plate, “I’m hungry? Anyway, what’s the big deal?”
Cady folded her hands over the table, “You’re gaining weight because at the speed you’re stuffing your face, you’re not giving your body a chance to tell yourself you’re full. At the rate you’re eating, you’ll be the size of a house in no time at all.”
Starling chuckled as she gobbled up another handful of fries, “Thanks for your concern, duly noted.”
Cady rolled her eyes, “Okay,” then casually asked the girls, “Any other suggestions for prom night?”
Ellie nodded, “Any one besides me think we should ask Regina to join us? I mean, it’s her senior prom.”
Ellie was greeted with stares by Cady and Starling, but Karen spoke up, “I doubt she’d even want to go. We’ll all have male companions and that’d make her feel uncomfortable.”
Cady flexed her eyebrows, “I concur. Its sad, but with everything she’s been through, she’d feel inadequate just being in the same room as us.”
Ellie leaned back in her seat; “I’ll ask her any ways.”
Karen slurped her cola, then inquired, “Has anyone even spoken to Regina lately?”
Cady was the first to acknowledge, “Other than seeing her in class; we haven’t talked in a while.”
The other girls were on the same page. Once lunch was over, the friends ambled out of the cozy diner and made a trek to Starling’s car. But not before Cady checked out her appearance in the diner’s window.
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TUESDAY AFTERNOON, FINAL PERIOD: the next day Regina sat on a stool in the gym, towels folded in her arms, waiting for the plastics to leave the showers. Still wanting to fit in, to be a part of the pack, Regina showed a minor tinge of improvement in her appearance. Her flowing golden blond hair twisted in a bouncy ponytail, showing off her pudgy face.
Much like a novice, Regina laid on the cosmetics thick, the light blue blush and cherry red lipstick made her look ridiculous. The pink cotton sweat suit gave her hefty body room to breathe, but didn’t flatter her pear shape figure the least. A porky roll of flab peeked out over the waistband while the fabric wasn’t very kind to her thunder thighs.
Regina loudly cracked her gum as the cheerleader’s finally left the showers. Her big cow eyes filled with envy as the svelte princesses marched into the locker room.
As Regina passed out the towels, Ms. Lopez quietly reminded her, “Remember, pick up the soiled towels and place them in the hamper.”
Regina simply nodded in agreement. Waiting for the room to clear out before beginning her chores, Regina roamed the locker room, picking up the wet towels and discarding them in the hamper. She bent over to pick up a few more and as she cracked her gum stood up, only to discover Ellie unexpectedly standing in front of her.
The meticulously attired Ellie flexed her eyebrows, “What the heck are you doing?”
Regina blinked, smiling in embarrassment, “Hi Ellie, I’m the towel girl.”
Ellie loudly exhaled, “Whose stupid idea was this?”
Nervously Regina scratched her flabby big belly, “Gretchen invited me to, no insisted that I become, part of her clique again; this comes with the deal.”
“Her clique?” Ellie smirked, “I thought it was your clique? You were the queen bee, remember?”
Regina stashed the wet linen away, almost splashing Ellie in her hurry, “It’s Gretchen’s clique now, she’s the Queen.”
“Hey, watch it!” Elle protested.
Regina’s half grinned and puffed up her cheeks, “I’m just the one of the lackeys, doing what she says, but I’m not complaining. I get to hang out with the most popular crowd in school.”
Ellie seriously replied in a style like only a best friend would, “They’re using you big time and you’re so naive you don’t even notice! Hurry up with your insignificant little task and let’s grab a cola.”
Regina chomped on her gum, “Well, actually I’m supposed to run out and pick up Tiffany some nail polish and then....”
Ellie took a deep breath and casually interrupted, “You can do that later. My car is in the lot, meet me outside in ten minutes.”
“I guess,” Regina responded as she twirled the gum with her finger.
A while later, at the ridiculously dingy low class diner the girls mingled. “You could have chosen a more upscale place then this dive,” Ellie remarked.
“I always go here”, Regina chimed as she stuffed most of a donut into her mouth, then proceeded to wash it down with chocolate milk.
Ellie wiped off her fork as she spoke, “The girls; meaning Cady, Starling, Karen and me, would like you to join us on prom night.”
Regina, wide eyed, glanced over her plate of macaroni and cheese with a side of garlic bread, “That would be kind of nice but I can’t.”
Ellie nibbled slowly on her salad, “Regina, it’s our Senior prom, you have to go. If you’re concerned because you put on weight, don’t let that stop you. Starling is fantastic when it comes to wardrobe and I can make your hair look beautiful.”
Regina waited to consume a large bite of her meal before replying, “But I promised Gretchen and the others, I would help them on prom night. You know?”
Ellie went through an entire speech about the plastics taking advantage of Regina, but of course it didn’t make Regina waver at all. Thus Ellie acknowledged Regina with a “forget I mentioned it” gesture.
Regina sipped her chocolate milk, then after a loud burp, told Ellie, “But like, I’m ready to be your friend again, if that’s possible?”
A shocked Ellie smiled, “Yes, by all means. But will Gretchen mind? Not that I give a twat of what she thinks.”
Speaking in between bites, Regina made it known, “After graduation, if I graduate, I really doubt I’ll be seeing much of Gretchen any more. But, you’re more of the best friend type.”
Ellie grinned, “You got that right. Glad you’re starting to remember. But what’s this “If?” business?”
“I’ve just been stress eating for months – my efforts in class are mediocre, college is out and if I don’t graduate my Mom says I’m going to have to work for a housekeeping service. Our maid is grooming me for the inevitable.”
“Wasn’t Calvin supposed to be helping you?”
“I let him go months ago – I’m sure he’s moved on to other things.”
“Would you let him try?”
“I suppose – but don’t count on it.”
“We’ll see about that – for now finish up your snack and then I’ll drive you to the store so you can pick up - little miss ‘my boobs are larger than my IQ’ - Tiffany, her nail polish.”
Regina gobbled up the remaining portion of her meal as Ellie quipped, “Think those plastics might need some face cream?”
“Huh?” replied Regina.
“Never mind – forget I said anything.” replied Elle, but in the back of her mind an idea was forming.
LATER TUESDAY: Elle dropped Regina off with her things for Tiffany. Regina arrived a bit late and the plastics were nearly completed with a set of burgers and fries.
“OK – order your ice cream – we need to talk,” Gretchen ordered.
“Uh – only if you let me buy you all some,” said Regina. “You’re nearly finished.”
Nicole looked apprehensive but Gretchen said, “Well, since this is important and you’re paying….”
Regina brought back four triple scoop banana splits. “This is appreciation for all you’ve done for me.”
“What a klutz” thought Nicole as she allowed herself to indulge in the hi-calorie dish.
“Paying us back for being allowed to BE our servant? This is unreal” thought Tiffany.
Gretchen had a larger issue on her mind. She wasn’t looking to be kind to Regina. She was becoming increasingly disturbed by rumors following the nomination of Cady and Karen as competition. Her own candidacy was based entirely on looks and power. Cady and Karen, in contrast, hadn’t even been looking for the nomination. They had, however, been helping in all sorts of school leadership and service roles. Their nominations had been given to them.
Through their boyfriends, Tim and Bruce, the two had more supporters and influence on the sports teams and student government than Gretchen cared for. She felt she knew, more accurately than she realized, who likely nominated the duo that she regarded as the twin blimps! Now, if what she heard was true, the backers of these bozos were actually intending to mount a winning campaign – as if there was a chance of defeating her! But inside she was nervous.
“Here’s the deal” said Gretchen, “it never hurts to have a little extra insurance. You can help us and if you do you’ll officially be part of the group – even eating with us at lunch. Interested?”
“Wow,” stammered Regina, “What do I have to do?”
“Support me for prom queen and let me use your house for some campaign parties. It seems Tim and Bruce may be mounting campaigns for Cady and Karen and I may need to remind people who is most deserving of being Queen.”
“Well, my parents are out of town, so it might be possible. Let me talk to our house keeper.”
Regina went off and talked on her cell with Rita. In five minutes she came back smiling, “Rita is OK with it but she’d like to talk with you face to face – perhaps after we’re done shopping?
“OK,” said Gretchen. “We’ve eaten pretty well this afternoon – if supper waits until rather late its probably best.”
Nicole and Tiffany already felt stuffed and looked at one another with puzzled expressions – how could Gretchen even be thinking of supper?
“Actually you don’t have to worry about supper. Rita says she’ll be sure to have a little something for all of us by 8:00. She’s terrific that way,” Regina chirped.
Nicole groaned.
“Well, we’ll see,” Gretchen replied. “I guess its not like we have to be super strict in view of the competition. If we can’t eat much tonight I think Rita would understand wouldn’t she?”
“I guess,” replied Regina, “but remember, she’s going to be handling the party refreshments, so its best to keep her happy if possible.”
(Continued in post 5 of this thread)
BRINGING DOWN THE QUEEN BEE 21 - 24
By Matt L. and the Observer
(A novella based on the CWWF Mean Girls series but with added material.)
(For Chapters 16-20 click here.)
By Matt L. and the Observer
(A novella based on the CWWF Mean Girls series but with added material.)
(For Chapters 16-20 click here.)
CHAPTER 21 - THE OTHER CANDIDATES:
MONDAY Cady, with her class work caught up, was taking the day off from school as one of her earned free days. She knew her posse friends Elle and Starling were doing the same thing. They had a shopping trip planned for the afternoon. She was in the middle of a facial with her eyes closed and getting her nails done when Karen unexpectedly entered the chic North Shore beauty salon.
Interrupting the attendant at work, Karen happily buzzed; “Hi Cady, its Karen. Sorry to bust in on you but guess what? We’ve both been nominated for prom queen!”
Cady appeared surprised as she cracked open an eye, “You serious? Hey, how did you know I was here?”
Karen pulled up a chair and waved to the attendant, “Don’t let me disrupt the facial!”
“Not an issue” replied the attendant.
She then cheerfully replied to Cady, “Yes, I’m serious and duh, your mother told me.”
Cady enquired about the other nominees, but Karen was for the moment much too absorbed about Cady’s grandiose makeover, “When did you start becoming so high maintenance?”
A rather grand departure, Karen thought from the brainy, fashion dysfunctional chubby gal Cady had been earlier in the school year. But underneath, Karen knew, Cady was still practical.
“Since when is taking pride in my appearance ’high maintenance’? I’m simply a meticulously fetching young lady.” Cady ostentatiously remarked with a smile, her tone mimicking the pretentious plastics.
Karen lifted her eyebrows and acknowledged, “You are that!”
“But anyway, as I was asking, who else has been nominated?”
Whereas Cady was attired in a classy blouse and top of the line slacks, Karen was clothed in a raggedly old sweatshirt and colorful yet cheap looking spandex shorts. Though Cady was heavier than Karen, Cady appeared posh, in touch with style. She’d also already heard the news from her steady beau Tim, which is why she’d come to the shop, but she had too much class to dump that on Karen.
Karen in contrast looked a little lackluster and a little dumpy. Even their hairstyles were opposites, and Karen felt the unspoken difference even if Cady didn’t care. Cady’s wavy red mane looked spectacular, curling over her shoulders while Karen’s blond hair, though shiny, was combed back with a brown beret keeping her bangs in check.
Karen pulled on the edge of her gray sweatshirt, sub-consciously trying to hide her soft potbelly and continued sounding like an uninvolved third part commentator:
“Gretchen and Candace Heston have also been nominated. Candace is like the All-American girl next door, cute and smart, but Gretchen is extremely popular and gorgeous....”
Cady interrupted her friend; “Gretchen is a callous minx who is like the flavor of the month. She’s only popular in her own crowd coz she demeans almost everyone else and they’re afraid of her.”
Karen puffed up her checks and exhaled, “But you have to admit, she’s gorgeous and attracts a lot of preppy wannabes.”
“Stop defending her!”, Cady snapped. “Endorsing Gretchen won’t get you elected queen!”
Karen’s voice softened, “I wasn’t defending her. Trust me, I know all about Gretchen. I was just remarking on her status in school and her looks.”
Cady shrugged her shoulders, “I guess I mistook your statement. Anyway, congratulations on the nomination.”
Karen’s eyes sparkled, a warm smile on her face, “Same too you. Too bad we’re both up for the title coz this means we’re now rivals.”
Cady shook her head, half-grinning, “I guess, but if you’re victorious, I couldn’t lose to a better foe.”
Karen reached over and tightly squeezed Cady’s knee, “Let’s celebrate our nominations with lunch. Ah, once you’re through here of course. There’s this place on Devon Avenue where if you buy three hot dogs the French fries are free!”
Cady’s brow wrinkled, “I appreciate the invite and we should definitely celebrate, but perhaps you haven’t noticed, I’m dieting.”
Covering her mouth in shock, Karen screeched, “You’re dieting? Since when?”
Cady sighed, “Where have you been? Since a couple of weeks now, I’ve already lost 6 pounds.”
Karen kept repeating, “Wow, wow, wow.”
Finally Cady chirped, “Lunch does sounds inviting, though, we’ll go to Morty’s; it’s a little fancy, so when you call the others tell them to dress up. But its my treat.”
Karen nodded her head as Cady further commanded, “I’ll be finished here shortly, so you better run home and dress appropriately. We’ll meet at your place in an hour.”
Cady waved her hand while Karen staggered onto her feet; “Starling’s taking the day off too, probably not even up yet, so call her first on your cell phone. That’ll give you time if you get moving.”
Karen did exactly as she was told. After all, being Queen Bee of her own clique with the Sophomores and Regina didn't preclude her being a friend of her fellow Queen Bee Cady's realm with Starling and Elle.
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Cady’s choice of restaurant wasn’t in the cards for lunch that afternoon. Receiving a fair amount of protest from a highly disgruntled Starling that Morty’s was overpriced and too formal, the gals instead opted for a much more casual cafe. Karen surmised it was for the best, since Cady alone was dressed for anything better than a family style diner.
Starling appeared chunkier than ever in a multicolor sleeveless T-shirt and red sweats. A sizable amount of her increasingly pudgy potbelly protruded over her sweats while her big behind dripped over the chair. Ellie was having a bad hair day, and deciding against cosmetics, choose to go natural. Her attire consisting of a pink blouse and blue jeans didn’t tarnish her beauty but somehow made her look low key. Karen didn’t change her appearance at all other than losing the beret and letting her dazzling blond hair flirt with her shoulders.
Cady took a modest sip of her apple juice before telling her crew, “Let’s arrange a shopping date for Thursday after school to buy our gowns. All agreed?”
The three members of Cady’s crew were with the program. Karen noticed Cady’s more democratic style – even as queen bee she led by asking for consensus rather than simply ordering. Regina and Gretchen were never even near democratic in their approach.
Turning to Starling, Cady inquired, “Have you decided to let Toby escort you?”
Starling took a generously long sip of cola, washing down the hearty bite of burger she devoured, “Actually no. I’m going to wait out my options awhile; somebody else may ask me.”
Starling proceeded to finish the rest of her burger, munching on a large onion ring in between bites. Cady tapped her beautiful manicured nails on the table, “Might I suggest you eat slower?”
Starling consumed the entire onion ring, then snagged a few fries off of Karen’s plate, “I’m hungry? Anyway, what’s the big deal?”
Cady folded her hands over the table, “You’re gaining weight because at the speed you’re stuffing your face, you’re not giving your body a chance to tell yourself you’re full. At the rate you’re eating, you’ll be the size of a house in no time at all.”
Starling chuckled as she gobbled up another handful of fries, “Thanks for your concern, duly noted.”
Cady rolled her eyes, “Okay,” then casually asked the girls, “Any other suggestions for prom night?”
Ellie nodded, “Any one besides me think we should ask Regina to join us? I mean, it’s her senior prom.”
Ellie was greeted with stares by Cady and Starling, but Karen spoke up, “I doubt she’d even want to go. We’ll all have male companions and that’d make her feel uncomfortable.”
Cady flexed her eyebrows, “I concur. Its sad, but with everything she’s been through, she’d feel inadequate just being in the same room as us.”
Ellie leaned back in her seat; “I’ll ask her any ways.”
Karen slurped her cola, then inquired, “Has anyone even spoken to Regina lately?”
Cady was the first to acknowledge, “Other than seeing her in class; we haven’t talked in a while.”
The other girls were on the same page. Once lunch was over, the friends ambled out of the cozy diner and made a trek to Starling’s car. But not before Cady checked out her appearance in the diner’s window.
-------------------------------
TUESDAY AFTERNOON, FINAL PERIOD: the next day Regina sat on a stool in the gym, towels folded in her arms, waiting for the plastics to leave the showers. Still wanting to fit in, to be a part of the pack, Regina showed a minor tinge of improvement in her appearance. Her flowing golden blond hair twisted in a bouncy ponytail, showing off her pudgy face.
Much like a novice, Regina laid on the cosmetics thick, the light blue blush and cherry red lipstick made her look ridiculous. The pink cotton sweat suit gave her hefty body room to breathe, but didn’t flatter her pear shape figure the least. A porky roll of flab peeked out over the waistband while the fabric wasn’t very kind to her thunder thighs.
Regina loudly cracked her gum as the cheerleader’s finally left the showers. Her big cow eyes filled with envy as the svelte princesses marched into the locker room.
As Regina passed out the towels, Ms. Lopez quietly reminded her, “Remember, pick up the soiled towels and place them in the hamper.”
Regina simply nodded in agreement. Waiting for the room to clear out before beginning her chores, Regina roamed the locker room, picking up the wet towels and discarding them in the hamper. She bent over to pick up a few more and as she cracked her gum stood up, only to discover Ellie unexpectedly standing in front of her.
The meticulously attired Ellie flexed her eyebrows, “What the heck are you doing?”
Regina blinked, smiling in embarrassment, “Hi Ellie, I’m the towel girl.”
Ellie loudly exhaled, “Whose stupid idea was this?”
Nervously Regina scratched her flabby big belly, “Gretchen invited me to, no insisted that I become, part of her clique again; this comes with the deal.”
“Her clique?” Ellie smirked, “I thought it was your clique? You were the queen bee, remember?”
Regina stashed the wet linen away, almost splashing Ellie in her hurry, “It’s Gretchen’s clique now, she’s the Queen.”
“Hey, watch it!” Elle protested.
Regina’s half grinned and puffed up her cheeks, “I’m just the one of the lackeys, doing what she says, but I’m not complaining. I get to hang out with the most popular crowd in school.”
Ellie seriously replied in a style like only a best friend would, “They’re using you big time and you’re so naive you don’t even notice! Hurry up with your insignificant little task and let’s grab a cola.”
Regina chomped on her gum, “Well, actually I’m supposed to run out and pick up Tiffany some nail polish and then....”
Ellie took a deep breath and casually interrupted, “You can do that later. My car is in the lot, meet me outside in ten minutes.”
“I guess,” Regina responded as she twirled the gum with her finger.
A while later, at the ridiculously dingy low class diner the girls mingled. “You could have chosen a more upscale place then this dive,” Ellie remarked.
“I always go here”, Regina chimed as she stuffed most of a donut into her mouth, then proceeded to wash it down with chocolate milk.
Ellie wiped off her fork as she spoke, “The girls; meaning Cady, Starling, Karen and me, would like you to join us on prom night.”
Regina, wide eyed, glanced over her plate of macaroni and cheese with a side of garlic bread, “That would be kind of nice but I can’t.”
Ellie nibbled slowly on her salad, “Regina, it’s our Senior prom, you have to go. If you’re concerned because you put on weight, don’t let that stop you. Starling is fantastic when it comes to wardrobe and I can make your hair look beautiful.”
Regina waited to consume a large bite of her meal before replying, “But I promised Gretchen and the others, I would help them on prom night. You know?”
Ellie went through an entire speech about the plastics taking advantage of Regina, but of course it didn’t make Regina waver at all. Thus Ellie acknowledged Regina with a “forget I mentioned it” gesture.
Regina sipped her chocolate milk, then after a loud burp, told Ellie, “But like, I’m ready to be your friend again, if that’s possible?”
A shocked Ellie smiled, “Yes, by all means. But will Gretchen mind? Not that I give a twat of what she thinks.”
Speaking in between bites, Regina made it known, “After graduation, if I graduate, I really doubt I’ll be seeing much of Gretchen any more. But, you’re more of the best friend type.”
Ellie grinned, “You got that right. Glad you’re starting to remember. But what’s this “If?” business?”
“I’ve just been stress eating for months – my efforts in class are mediocre, college is out and if I don’t graduate my Mom says I’m going to have to work for a housekeeping service. Our maid is grooming me for the inevitable.”
“Wasn’t Calvin supposed to be helping you?”
“I let him go months ago – I’m sure he’s moved on to other things.”
“Would you let him try?”
“I suppose – but don’t count on it.”
“We’ll see about that – for now finish up your snack and then I’ll drive you to the store so you can pick up - little miss ‘my boobs are larger than my IQ’ - Tiffany, her nail polish.”
Regina gobbled up the remaining portion of her meal as Ellie quipped, “Think those plastics might need some face cream?”
“Huh?” replied Regina.
“Never mind – forget I said anything.” replied Elle, but in the back of her mind an idea was forming.
LATER TUESDAY: Elle dropped Regina off with her things for Tiffany. Regina arrived a bit late and the plastics were nearly completed with a set of burgers and fries.
“OK – order your ice cream – we need to talk,” Gretchen ordered.
“Uh – only if you let me buy you all some,” said Regina. “You’re nearly finished.”
Nicole looked apprehensive but Gretchen said, “Well, since this is important and you’re paying….”
Regina brought back four triple scoop banana splits. “This is appreciation for all you’ve done for me.”
“What a klutz” thought Nicole as she allowed herself to indulge in the hi-calorie dish.
“Paying us back for being allowed to BE our servant? This is unreal” thought Tiffany.
Gretchen had a larger issue on her mind. She wasn’t looking to be kind to Regina. She was becoming increasingly disturbed by rumors following the nomination of Cady and Karen as competition. Her own candidacy was based entirely on looks and power. Cady and Karen, in contrast, hadn’t even been looking for the nomination. They had, however, been helping in all sorts of school leadership and service roles. Their nominations had been given to them.
Through their boyfriends, Tim and Bruce, the two had more supporters and influence on the sports teams and student government than Gretchen cared for. She felt she knew, more accurately than she realized, who likely nominated the duo that she regarded as the twin blimps! Now, if what she heard was true, the backers of these bozos were actually intending to mount a winning campaign – as if there was a chance of defeating her! But inside she was nervous.
“Here’s the deal” said Gretchen, “it never hurts to have a little extra insurance. You can help us and if you do you’ll officially be part of the group – even eating with us at lunch. Interested?”
“Wow,” stammered Regina, “What do I have to do?”
“Support me for prom queen and let me use your house for some campaign parties. It seems Tim and Bruce may be mounting campaigns for Cady and Karen and I may need to remind people who is most deserving of being Queen.”
“Well, my parents are out of town, so it might be possible. Let me talk to our house keeper.”
Regina went off and talked on her cell with Rita. In five minutes she came back smiling, “Rita is OK with it but she’d like to talk with you face to face – perhaps after we’re done shopping?
“OK,” said Gretchen. “We’ve eaten pretty well this afternoon – if supper waits until rather late its probably best.”
Nicole and Tiffany already felt stuffed and looked at one another with puzzled expressions – how could Gretchen even be thinking of supper?
“Actually you don’t have to worry about supper. Rita says she’ll be sure to have a little something for all of us by 8:00. She’s terrific that way,” Regina chirped.
Nicole groaned.
“Well, we’ll see,” Gretchen replied. “I guess its not like we have to be super strict in view of the competition. If we can’t eat much tonight I think Rita would understand wouldn’t she?”
“I guess,” replied Regina, “but remember, she’s going to be handling the party refreshments, so its best to keep her happy if possible.”
(Continued in post 5 of this thread)
