I thought about Brittany's appearance for a moment. She did look like a horse. Under normal circumstances, I would never result to childish petty insults, but I wasn't about to oppose Sasha so I just sighed and said, "Fine, what else."
"Now on to Ashley. Ashley is a whore. If Ashley says anything to you, just say that Will told you that her vajayjay smelled like fish or that she was so loose having sex with her was like throwing a hot dog down a hallway."
"Sasha, I can't say those things! It's just not like me." I turned around in the chair and looked at her. My eyes pleaded with her to try to think of another way. There had to be something else I could say that wasn't so crass. "I can barely believe those thoughts would even cross your mind. When did you start using that language? There has to be another way," I said.
"Fine, then say that Will got tired of having to wait in line every time he wanted to stick it in."
"No, I will not! Besides, Will didn't say those things."
"Well, ask him about it. I'm sure he'll agree with me," she said as she turned me around and resumed her efforts with my hair.
"No, he won't. He's different now."
"That's what you think."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Let's just move on to Lauren DeHaven. She's the biggest bitch of them all. Do you know what she did to Naseem, the exchange student from Iran?" she asked kind of rhetorically since she didn't give me a chance to respond. "Her first day at school Lauren DeHaven told her that the word for 'meet' was actually another four letter word that begins with 'F'. The poor girl went up to everyone that day saying 'pleased to F you'. I still can't believe you took a drink from her." Sasha shook her head disapprovingly. "But I have so much dirt on her, she is going to rue the day she crossed us. First of all, her father is about to declare bankruptcy. He made some awful investments and her family is practically broke. Her mother left her father and ran off with their accountant and her brother is so addicted to pain killers he's been in rehab twice in the past year."
"Sasha, how do you know all this?"
"Don't worry about it. Now, even though she's dating Poe, I know for a fact she's a lesbian or at least bi."
I sighed and shook my head. This was too much for me to handle. "Sasha, I don't want to have to spread rumors about people."
"It's not a rumor if it's true. And this is definitely true. In fact, I have video."
"What!"
"You heard me. I. Have. Video," she said emphasizing each word. "If she says anything at all to you just say three words: Lauren, Brooke, video. Then walk away. She will be so shocked she'll probably wet herself. Leaving the DeHaven off of her name will be like an added kick in the stomach. She hates that. She refuses to be confused with Lauren Holloway, Lauren Rovick, Lauren Smith or Lauren Widman."
I couldn't believe my sister's words. I couldn't believe my sister was privy to this kind of information. How utterly scandalous and crude.
"Sasha, seriously, why do you know all this stuff? How do you know this?"
"I said, don't worry about it," she said curtly.
But I couldn’t help worrying about it. There had to be a reason Sasha knew all of this. I thought back to what I overheard Will say earlier. Was it possible that Sasha was friends with these girls? I needed to know the truth.
“Sasha,” I said changing the tone of our rumor fest. “I overheard you and Will arguing today.”
She put down the flat iron and crossed her arms. She took a deep breath and said, “I’m sorry you had to hear that. I’m sorry I don’t like your boyfriend.”
I shook my head. “No, that’s not what I’m concerned about. I know you don’t like Will for me. I’m worried about something he said.”
Sasha raised her eyebrow waiting for me to continue.
“He said they were your friends.” She didn’t respond. “Are they really your friends, Sasha? Did you know anything about what they did to me?”
Sasha’s bottom lip started quivering. “How could you even ask me that?” she said as a tear spilled down her face. She turned away from me. Suddenly I felt guilty for even thinking it.
“Two years ago, during my first week of school,” Sasha began in a hushed voice, “they tried to befriend me.” She turned and leaned against the sink. “I thought they really liked me. I thought I found a place to belong.”
She stopped abruptly.
“What happened?” I asked.
Sasha closed her eyes tightly as if holding back more tears. Then in one swift movement, she whipped off her hair. I gasped.
“You’re wearing a wig?” I stood up and studied her hair or what was left of it. There were bald spots in between short unhealthy patches of hair.
She nodded while letting the tears flow. “They got close enough to me to fill my shampoo bottle with Nair. When I tried to wash my hair after gym class, it came out in clumps. It hasn’t grown back properly since.”
“Oh, Sasha,” I said hugging her and letting her cry on my shoulder. I wanted to ask her why she couldn’t smell the Nair before she used it. I mean that’s pretty strong stuff. But I didn’t want to make her feel any worse.
“I…never…told anyone,” she said between short shallow breaths as she tried to control her sobbing. “I just bought a wig and pretended it never happened. I’ve stayed away from them since.”
“Oh, Sasha, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Sasha took a deep breath. She placed her wig back on her head and then wiped away the last of her tears. “I got over it. I didn’t let them get to me and I rose to student body president. You can get through this too. You just have to trust me." She sat me back down in the chair and stared into my eyes. "I know you think this is beneath you and petty, but really this is the only way to defeat them. I can fix this, but you have to trust me, sweetie, okay?"
"Okay," I said reluctantly.
Sasha hugged me and started working on my make-up.
"Good, I’m glad we’re in agreement on this. Now,” she said changing her mood. She went from sad back to vindictive in the blink of an eye, “Lauren DeHaven is going to be your greatest opponent for prom queen since Poe is a shoe in for King. So really watch your back for her."
***
I had to admit, when she was done I looked like a supermodel. I could have been on the cover of any one of those fashion magazines I always passed up for dance magazines. The tiny skirt Sasha made me wear really accentuated my long shapely dancer legs. And the top was just short enough to reveal a hint of my rock solid abdomen. Even Will was shocked by my transformation.
"I mean, not to say you weren't beautiful before," he said after stumbling over his words for a few minutes. "I think you're gorgeous either way, but I can definitely deal with this for a night or two."
When we got to the party, my nervous stomach almost made me puke again. Sasha told me to just pretend like I played a character in a famous ballet. She said that if her plan worked, no one would even remember or care by the next weekend and then I could go back to normal.
Will and I burst into the party like we owned the place. We danced in the middle of the floor and groped each other for most of the night. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Ashley fuming. Then, when the right song came on, I took center stage, or center living room, and did my thing. Everyone chanted my name again, but this time, I had planned it. I even incorporated some ballet moves into my act and get some oh's and ah's when I went into my splits.
By the end of the night, I was the life of the party. The underwear model rumor had taken flight and a few guys asked to take a picture with me.
At some point, Will and I got separated. He went off to talk with his buddies as I made rounds trying to show how supremely confident with my body I was. Then, suddenly, someone pulled me into a bedroom. Lips kissed me and hands touched me all over. I could immediately tell it wasn't Will. I pushed him off and got a good look at an inebriated David Winthrop. I didn't remember how far I had gone with him the night before,
but apparently it was far enough for him to think he had an open invitation to my body.
"Get off me!" I yelled as I tried to fight him.
"You know you want me," he slurred. In that moment, I couldn't think of one reason why I had been so infatuated with him. What was I thinking?
"Maybe I wanted you in the past, but I have a boyfriend now," I said, stepping away from him and preparing to bolt out the door if he tried anything.
"So, that's it?" He seemed a little disappointed. I wondered for a moment if he actually liked me. Then I couldn't help but wonder if he was just drunk and horny or if he just thought I was Sasha again.
"I thought we made a connection last night," David said, sitting on the bed. I almost went and sat next to him. I got a quick flash of all those fantasies I used to have of him. It would've been so easy to make one of them come true right there and then. But something kept me from going over to him on the bed. Something didn't feel right. I didn't know whether I had suddenly become paranoid because of what happened the night before, but I felt the need to get out of that room, fast. So, that's what I did. I didn't even say another word to David, I just ran out as he babbled something about it not being a good idea that I reject him.
"Do you know what I can do to you?" I heard him say. Good thing I left when I did. Just as I walked out of the room, I saw Ashley dragging Will around the corner. That little witch was trying to set me up again. She wanted Will to catch me with David. How could someone be so evil? I ducked around the corner and watched with delight as her plan failed miserably.
"I swear I saw her come in here with him," she said after they had walked into the room. Will just shook her loose and charged out of the door. "Wait, Will, wait!" she called, scurrying after him.
When Ashley's attempt to turn Will against me failed, Brittany and Lauren DeHaven tried the intimidation approach. They forced me into an empty room and said, "You have no idea who you're playing with." Lauren DeHaven shoved my shoulder like she wanted to fight and I had to hold in a laugh. She was a good three inches shorter than me. I could have leveled her with one swift arabesque to her chest. She had no idea how many fights I had been in with much more formidable opponents in Venton Heights.
"I suggest you never touch me again," I said calmly.
"Oh, yeah, well what are you gonna do?"
"I have three words for you. Lauren, Brooke, video." I crossed my arms and glared at her. Lauren DeHaven's eyes expanded and her jaw dropped.
"How do you…where did you…," she stuttered.
"What is she talking about, LD?" Brittany asked. This must have been a piece of information even her closest friends didn't know about. I still wondered how Sasha knew.
"Sasha!" she gasped as she turned around and stormed out of the room leaving a confused Brittany behind.
"Do you have anything to add, horse face?" Brittany's mouth flew open in shock. I kinda shocked myself at my own cruelty. Then she scampered off after Lauren DeHaven.
I was relieved when my 'show' ended and we could leave the party. I'd had enough of the high school party scene. Too bad it had taken the Bitch Brigade to make me realize it. Sasha was extremely pleased with how well her plan worked. By Monday, no one pitied me or ridiculed the girl who had been duped by the Bitch Brigade. Instead, guys were high-fiving Will in the hall and girls were asking me what it was like to work in Europe. I actually gave them detailed accounts of photo shoots since I had done several for the dance festival I attended in Spain. It wasn't the best image or reputation to have in high school, but it beat being portrayed as a weak pitiful victim who can't handle her alcohol. The only drawback: yeah, possibly winning prom queen.
Chapter 20:
This Ain't Over
Already convinced that I'd win prom queen, Sasha wanted me to look the part. Originally, she had planned for me to wear the black and pink cocktail dress she wore last year, but at the last minute she decided against it. She thought someone might remember it. So that morning, she bought me a white empire-waist gown with red detailing. It looked almost like a wedding dress. By the time she finished putting my hair in an up do with cascading tendrils, I really did look like a queen.
Des rented a limousine for the night and somehow Sasha convinced him it would be more time efficient if the limousine picked up Sasha and me, then Will, then Des. Of course, the limo never came to Venton Heights. Sasha and I met the driver at the rental place and left from there.
Sometime during dinner, the significance of what was about to happen registered in my mind. The student population of Bridgeton had voted on whether they liked me or not. Of course, I knew I shouldn't really care, but I did. I wanted to be liked, which meant I wanted to win. But then again, I didn't want to win. The winner had to go on stage and give an acceptance speech. What if I said something stupid? What if I didn't say anything at all?
By the time dessert came, I nervously tapped my finger on the table. I made the silverware clink, causing people in the fancy French restaurant to stare at me. Sasha gave me a look that said 'relax' or possibly 'relax, you idiot', but I couldn't stop. Will placed his hand over mine which made my finger stop, but then my leg picked up where my finger left off causing the whole table to shake from my knee banging the bottom of it. I realized I was being ridiculous, but the idea of me as prom queen was even more ridiculous. If I won, I couldn't stand up in front of everyone and make a speech. And if I didn't win, that would mean no one liked me. Either way, I felt trapped. I felt trapped in this restaurant. I couldn't breathe. No, I couldn't go through with this. What a stupid idea. I had to tell Sasha her plan wasn't going to work. I had to get out of this. I had to get out of there.
"Okay, let's go for a walk," Will said, standing up from the table.
"So, tell me exactly why you're nervous," he said once we were outside and walking around the block. "I have seen you dance alone on stage in front of a sold out audience. You weren't nervous then. What is it about giving a 20-second speech that throws you into a panic?"
"Dancing is different. I'd give my firstborn child to be able to dance instead of give that speech."
"Hey, don't go bartering off our children like that," Will teased.
"I'm serious, Will. This freaks me out. I hope I don't win. What am I gonna do if I win? What am I gonna say? I never know what to say to people. I wish you could be on stage with me. Why aren't you running for king?"
"I won last year, Babe. I can't run twice in a row."
"Duh! I knew that. You see how stupid I am? I'm too stupid to give a speech." I said, slipping into full panic mode. "Oh, I wish I were Sasha, she always says the right thing."
"Stop saying things like that," he said firmly as he stopped and stepped in front of me. "You're not stupid and you're not Sasha, thank God. You're you and you are the greatest person I've ever met in my life." Will wrapped me in his arms after planting a passionate kiss on my lips.
When the time to announce the king and queen came, all of the nominees went on stage. Lauren DeHaven hugged me and the other three girls running against her as if we were all part of this big happy family. She pretended like she'd be equally happy if either of us won. What a fake bitch, I thought.
Sasha, as student body president, opened the envelope for king first and, of course, it was Poe. Lauren DeHaven cheered for her boyfriend as he made his speech in which he mentioned the state champion basketball team. I wondered if I could somehow mention the basketball team in my speech if I won. But that wouldn't make any sense. As Sasha opened the envelope for queen, Lauren DeHaven actually grabbed my hand and the hand of the girl next to her.
When Sasha read my name off the card, Lauren DeHaven squeezed my hand so hard I thought she might snap my fingers off. Then she hugged me and whispered in my ear, "This ain't over."
Sasha jumped up and down in excitement as they placed the crown on my head. I was too shocked to jump up and down. I was too shocked to move. I felt completely stiff and frozen as Sasha hugged me and whispered, "Breathe, don't f
orget to breathe." But I forgot to breathe. I forgot everything. All I saw was that microphone looming in front of me. With each second it grew bigger and bigger. And it was mocking me. Logic told me it was impossible for an inanimate object to mock someone, but I swear that microphone had it in for me. It told me that in a matter of seconds everyone in the school would see what an idiot I was and they'd immediately strip me of my crown.
The audience drew quiet as they waited for me to take the microphone and say something profound.
Sasha hugged me again and inconspicuously pushed me toward the microphone, but then at the last second she grabbed it and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I know the queen is the one who is supposed to talk right now, but I really couldn't pass up the opportunity to tell everyone how incredibly proud I am of my beautiful and talented little sister. You did the right thing by choosing the sweetest, kindest, most deserving person at Bridgeton. She is the best sister anyone could have and the best queen Bridgeton could have."
The Queen Bee of Bridgeton Page 12