Three: Influence

Whenever Rob spoke the table would silence. It annoyed me more than I thought possible. Even Alice silenced, which surprised me. I spent most of the lunch hour blushing and trying to answer the snowstorm of questions fired at me. Rob made it very obvious that he had no interest in having a conversation with me and I wasn’t going to stick my neck out for a complete stranger.

               The awkwardness increased when Rose came and sat on the already crowded table. She glared at me and Rob made a big deal of getting in a deep conversation with her. She would touch his arm or shoulder unnecessarily. It was obvious even to me that Rob was bored with the drivel she had come up with. I heard hardly any of the conversation but what I did hear was all about Rose. They both loved themselves, they were perfect for each other. Rose looked around the room and caught me looking in her direction and suddenly the conversation took a sharp turn from about Rose to about me. Rob didn’t agree with her but he didn’t exactly stop her either. Alice was chatting animatedly, but when she heard the conversation Rob and Rose were having she stopped and interrupted them.

               “Who are you talking about?” Alice asked Rose, glowering fiercely. Rose blushed, obviously embarrassed that they had been heard by anyone apart from me. She stammered but didn’t answer. Alice continued to glare at them. Rose finally said, “Just the new girl.” She pointed at me. For a second I swear Alice’s eyes flashed red.

               “The new girl? Andie.” Rose looked shocked that Alice knew my name, obviously Alice didn’t normally associate with the ‘new kid’. Alice continued, “The new girl. My cousin. The new girl, who you owe an apology to.” Alice glowered at Rose.

I appreciated what Alice was doing, but I didn’t need her help.

“Alice I’m fine. Don’t worry.” I said. Alice continued to stare at Rose.

“Sorry.” Rose mumbled looking at her hands. I realised then that Alice had been having a go at Rose but hadn’t said anything to Rob. That was weird Alice wasn’t one to hold back and I was surprised that Rob had her under the same spell he’d bewitched the rest of the girls with. No apology came from Rob and I wasn’t expecting one. He obviously wasn’t under any obligation to do what Alice said.

               After lunch one of Alice’s clones walked me to my next class. Unlike Rob she made no attempt to have a conversation, she just pointed into a classroom said ‘in here’ and without another word walked away. I mumbled a ‘thanks’ knowing there was no way she would hear it. The rest of the day was similar to the beginning. After every lesson I stumbled around until I found the right room. Then I introduced myself to the class, sat down and endured the lesson.

               Alice met me outside my last class and we walked to the bus stop whilst chatting. She asked me how my day was and I told her it was fine, not mentioning the fact that I‘d somehow managed to make two enemies on my first day. But on the bright side I had an enemy in each gender and life is all about variety. She asked if I was okay about the whole 'Rose thing'. I nodded.

               “Thanks” I said, “For getting her to back off.” I was avoiding all eye contact, because I wasn’t thankful, but I know it was polite to say it anyway and I didn’t want to be rude.

“So what did you think of Rob?” She asked blushing slightly as she did. I ignored the question pretending I didn’t hear it. Luckily she started talking to one of her clones when we got on the bus. I felt uneasy. The insecurities that didn’t appear earlier on crashed over me. I had made two enemies on my first day. What did that say about me?

               “Fancy going out tonight?” Alice asked me. It took me a while to realise she was talking to me.

“Erm, I guess, where do you want to go?” I asked. I didn’t exactly feel up to going out tonight but nothing could make me feel worse than I did right now.

“Well Rachel’s parents are gone ’till next week and her older brother is throwing a party.” She smiled widely, “He’s in college.” She said it as if it held the utmost importance so I tried to smile back.

“I think Helen, your mother, might have something to say about a party.” Alice looked at Rachel and they burst out laughing.

“We’re not going to tell her Andie!” She finally choked out through stifled giggles. I shrugged and turned to look out the window, Alice was deep in discussion with Rachel again so I just slipped my ipod earphones in my ear.

Author's Note

Thanks for the advice daydreamer54 :)

Reviews

[Daydreamer54]

I was trying not to hear the conversation, that Rob was bored.- what was rob bored about?
I think Helen- you might want to change around that sentence. It took me a minute to figre out who helen was, helen's andie's aunt right? u could say. "But what about your mom? You know she wouldn't let you go to a college party...something like that.