Think of every quarterback and cheerleader stereotype, and that’s exactly what these four look like.
Bobby is big and brawny with short blond hair and wears a varsity jacket.
His best friend Gunn isn’t as big as Bobby, but with a matching jacket, there’s no mistaking they are on the football team.
Robin’s auburn hair isn’t from a bottle.It’s all natural, according to her, which I’ve heard her recite one too many times.She has green eyes and freckles.She’s lovely to look at.Too bad her personality doesn’t match.
And then there’s Rebecca.
On the outside, Rebecca is the most beautiful girl I’ve seen.She’s the girl next door.Her family name carries prestige, as her ancestors are among the founding families of Hollow Banks.
This fact has her acting as if she owns this town and that we should be thankful she and her family “allow” us to live here.
Rebecca’s blue eyes sparkle.She’s the perfect monster.One would never suspect her of being cruel and calculating.But she hides behind her looks to lure in her prey.
Her cheerleader outfit is a second skin, leaving nothing to the imagination.Her blonde hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, secured with a gold-and-blue ribbon.
Her cheeks are full, and her lips are the perfect pout.
Rebecca and I couldn’t be further apart in looks.
My hair is dark brown with a bit of a wave, and most days, I pull it into a messy bun or ponytail.People often compliment my deep brown eyes, though I’m not interested in appearances.
My clothing choices aren’t trendy.I wear what’s comfortable and cheap.They’re usually bought at the local thrift store.
I’m not into what most sixteen-year-old girls are interested in.I don’t care about going to parties.Or popularity.I did once upon a time, and it ended with me meeting Dandy.So I don’t need anyone but him.
We’re two misfits who fit together.
The world exists, but sometimes it feels like we’re not a part of it.
And I am okay with that.
Rebecca doesn’t make it a secret that she’s staring at my outfit in distaste.I’m wearing frayed denim shorts and a baby-pink work T-shirt.
I remember when I wore pink around Rebecca, and she humiliated me for wanting to be her friend.
The triple thReats are the typical mean girls, and I mean that in every literal sense.Mean Girlsis their favorite movie, unbeknownst to me at the time, and I am certain Rebecca’s dream is to be like Regina George.
Even their rule of wearing pink on certain days was a scene plucked straight out of the movie.They seemed to have missed the memo that the mean girls are not the good guys.They’re meant to demonstrate whatnotto be.
Not a blueprint for bitches in the making.
“We want two sundaes to share,” says Robin.
I look at her with a stiff upper lip because there are twenty sundaes on the menu.
“Do you need to write that down?”she says, laughing at my expense with her friends.
I don’t react because that’s what they want.
“No,” I reply apathetically.“But I’m not a mind reader.”
Robin looks at me, confused.
So I clarify.“What sundae do you want to order?In case you missed the big colorful pictures over there”—I point over my shoulder—“there are lots to choose from.”
Dandy covers his laughter with a cough as he cleans down the booth across from us, clearly eavesdropping.
