Chapter 9
Ben was right. Dang it. Lisa is in my Anatomy class too, with BOTH twins. I had no choice but to let him be my lab partner. He may be giving stalker vibes for transferring into my class, but she gives murder vibes. Reunited with Bella, Lisa is worse than before. Silver lining, I can tell the twins apart now. Kate’s hair flows freely while Bella’s is pulled back into a tight ponytail. Bella hovers close to Lisa at all times and is perpetually, tense while Kate is at ease moving about talking and laughing with her lab partner, a scrawny kid that only takes his eyes off her to look into his microscope. The entire class, I feel Lisa’s eyes on me.
When the bell finally rings, I yearn for a moment of respite. Unlike Calc, the coursework wasn”t overly challenging, especially after reading ahead. I simply crave escape from all the drama, longing to retreat back to my small town. There is no place like home. I know, I heard it. The Dorothy thing is getting to me.
Before I can make my way back to Kansas, I need to swing by my locker to grab some books. I groan at the thought of trekking all the way across campus again but shuffle down the hall anyway. Ben insists on walking with me, taking on the role of my personal secret service. If that”s what he wants, I”ll oblige, keeping conversation to a minimum.
Arriving at my locker, I find it blocked by Lisa, arms crossed and scowling. How did she get here so fast? Kate leans nearby appearing bored, while Bella mirrors Lisa”s posture. I inwardly curse, realizing Ben probably feels justified in his protective stance. He moves ahead, evidently ready to confront Lisa, but I step forward, unwilling to let him speak for me. Pushing past him, I stand directly in front of Lisa, meeting her gaze. Forget my previous rules; they hadn”t worked with Ben, after all.
”Did the school hire locker attendants now? With all these side jobs Lisa, how do you manage your classes?” I quip, feigning innocence. Kate snickers, deepening the furrow in Lisa”s brow.
“I wouldn’t mouth off if I were you, new girl. I was being nice yesterday, but I’m not feeling as kind today.” Lisa snips, embodying the mean girl high school cliche.
“Oh no, just when I thought I was going to be invited to a back-to-school slumber party.” I reply pretending to pout.
”Keep it up, this is your last warning. Transfer back to whatever podunk town you came from.” Lisa threatens. Ben tenses beside me, but remains silent.
”No thanks, I”m good. I”d miss our chats too much,” I coo sweetly. ”Now, if there”s nothing else. I need to get to my locker. I wouldn”t want to be late for butter churning.” I maintain a composed demeanor, refusing to let her small-town jabs rattle me.
Suddenly Lisa invades my space. In an instant, Kate moves forward in case Lisa needs to be pulled back, and Ben stiffens, but before anyone can get to her, she lowers her voice and menacingly says, “Is that what your mom is doing now? Huh? Churning butter for money? Probably all she can do after dropping out to have you. Like mother, like daughter. You already have Benedict wrapped around your finger, trailing after you. Wonder why that is.” The red haze of anger clouds my vision as I instinctively shove her away. But before I could do more, an arm wraps around me, pulling me back. I’ve never pushed anyone before, never been this angry. Looking forward I see Lisa with a smile on her face.
“What the hell, Lisa?” Kate snaps, stepping forward.
“What? I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true.” Lisa shoots back, taking on a smug stance. The anger continues to course over me and a fight against Ben’s grasp.
”No, you know what? I”m sick of your crap.” Kate retorts, her tone firm. ”I”m only hanging out with you because of Bella, but you”ve crossed the line. Apologize.”
Lisa hesitates, her expression shifting from defiance to uncertainty. ”Apologize for what? She shoved me, and physical aggression is grounds for expulsion,” she counters. Crap. That is why she got into my face, why she pushed my buttons. She wanted me to snap. How could I be so stupid.
I deflate and instantly stop struggling, but before I can sling together a rebuttal, Ben loosens his grasp, steps toward Lisa and interjects, “I’m pretty sure bullying is grounds for expulsion too Lisa. I bet the headmaster would like to know what you said to Amelia.” His tone is calm but firm.
“Like he is going to trust anything that comes out of your mouth, Ben.” Lisa spits, “You’re already on thin ice as it is. You would know about all the things that can get someone expelled, wouldn’t you. Too bad Amelia doesn’t have your resources.” In a normal situation, I would dissect what she said, but I may be screwed here. There is no way to talk or write my way out of this. I shoved her. God, I’m dumb.
“The headmaster may not believe Ben, but I can enlighten him.” Kate says, moving in on Lisa. “In fact, I have lots of things I’m sure he would love to hear about you.”
Bella, who has been silent until now, pleads with her sister, “Kate.”
“No Bella. She has gone too far for the last time. I’m done sitting back and watching her wreak havoc, and you should be too.” The tension between the twins is palpable. Kate turns back to Lisa. “If you report her for pushing you, I’ll tell the headmaster what you said to Amelia AND how you threatened Peterson to report his parents to the IRS to get him to drop the journalism class.” What in the white-collar crime?
“Seriously, Kate?” Lisa’s voice cracks showcasing vulnerability. Who knew she had the depth to feel anything but anger.
”Seriously. Back off your vendetta against the new kids just because you”re afraid you”ll lose your class ranking,” Kate fires back, her tone unwavering. ”News flash: Harvard doesn”t care what place you”re in. You”re fourth generation! You”re getting in!”
Lisa straightens and is unable to hide the toll of what Kate says to her, even though she tries to play it off. “Whatever, come on Bella.” Bella looks between her sister and Lisa conflicted. She lowers her head and follows Lisa out toward the lot.
Kate rolls her eyes and leans back on the lockers, exhaling. “Don’t worry, I have enough dirt on Lisa, if she even thinks to go to the headmaster, I can bury her.”
“Thanks,” I say “but why did you stand up for me?” genuine curiosity replaces my anger.
“I’ve been sick of Lisa for a while now.” she explains “This just gave me the opportunity to cut ties. I just wish my sister could see her for the conniving witch she is, but she can’t seem to.” Her frustration is evident.
“Well, thanks for choosing now.” I reply sincerely.
“You’re welcome.” She kicks off the lockers set. “See you around.”
I nod at her and turn my attention to Ben. “Some bodyguard you are?”
He smirks. “I thought you didn’t need a bodyguard.”
Is that his move then?
Benedict
Damn it, Lisa. I knew she wouldn’t listen when I told her to back off Amelia but didn’t think she’d act so soon. Normally she is more calculated. I’m surprised by Kate, though. For years she and Bella have followed Lisa around avoiding her warpath. I thought I would have to step in and remind Lisa about the family secrets I know, never guessing her minion to betray her.
Apparently, Amelia didn’t need me after all. She was impressive. Standing up for herself and matching Lisa comment for comment. She was justified in pushing her away. Bringing up her mom was a low blow.
Lisa must be desperate, thinking that one push would result in Amelia”s expulsion. I broke into the headmaster’s office and am still here for crying out loud. Not that I’m proud of it, but Lisa thinking Amelia’s mom’s past is sufficient to tarnish the reputation of her family is absurd.
The Roberts have been at the school just as long as Lisa’s family. They wouldn’t expel Amelia out of respect for her grandfather alone. This reinforces my decision to switch schedules. Lisa”s next move is uncertain now that she”s been publicly embarrassed.