Chapter 5: The Mean Girl Attitude

Stacy Willams

Chapter 5 : The mean girl attitude

Life has been going great. I come home to no work and a stress free life. 

Well almost- with the exception of the men in my life. Ben obviously, is the most obvious hindrance to my happiness. And lurking ominously is Dad, whose presence in the house is felt even if we barely talk. It seems no matter what time it is in the day he’s always in that office, making those calls and filling out paperwork. 

As I drive home from the nail salon my mind wanders to the past few weeks. It’s the end of November, and in a few days December will come. How different life is from before. Contrary to the weather outside, my relationship with James has seemingly thawed but that brought on its own problems.

Over the past few weeks, Ben has made his affection for me public, as have the pile of gifts from him grown. Just last Tuesday he gave me a pandora ring. ‘A promise ring’ he had called it.

But promise what? I’d certainly promised him nothing, but he seemed to act like we were already dating. Everyone else treated us as a couple already. Even my friends swooned after each of Ben’s big romantic gestures. 

Now normally I wouldn’t mind, in fact I would’ve been thrilled at this public display of wealth and affection. Just a few months ago I had been daydreaming that Davis would treat me this way but the sudden inclusion of James complicated my feelings significantly. 

Getting out of the car I looked at my nails. Finally, I had time to get my nails done, they’re all pink and sparkly now. 

‘It was a good day, no use ruining my day over James’ I thought to myself. 

But I couldn’t help it. My friends distracted me well enough for the day. Together we went shopping. They ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ over the clothing I tried on but my heart wasn’t in it. 

“Stacy what’s wrong” my friend Maria asked, seeing that I had only 2 shopping bags in my hand while they all had at least 5.

“Nothing” I muttered, feeling sullen at my sudden inconvenient consciousness. 

“Worried your credit card will decline?” she mocked. 

Looking at the saleswoman, I bought a pair of diamond earrings just to shut her up. 

When I got home I crashed onto my bed, burying my face into my pillow. Ana came up holding my shopping bags, admiring my purchases. 

“What’s wrong?” she crooned softly, putting down my newly acquired pair of earrings.

I sighed, “Nothing’s wrong, I just want to be alone”

I felt a weight on the bed shift, as Ana sat down next to me. Turning, I got a good look at her. 

A face lined with wrinkles, the years beginning to appear on her face. A gentle expression on her face contrasted by dark circles under her eyes. It only reminded me of James and his tired emerald green eyes. 

Sighing again, I figure I might as well get it all off my chest. Plus, Ana wouldn’t spill my secrets to anyone. 

“I’m having… boy trouble” I confess reluctantly, the words taste strange on my tongue. 

Ana laughs, earning a glare from me. Still she doesn’t stop. 

“What’s the issue?” 

“Well, there’s Ben who wants me to date him-” I start. “He’s rich and Daddy would approve of him but…”

“But…” Ana pushes me to continue.

“But I feel bad. Ben’s been bullying this other boy”

“What other boy?” she asks. 

“James”

“And do you like this other boy, James” she prods. 

I don’t reply. James with his green eyes, and easy-going smile. Do I like him? Could a relationship with him even work? Most importantly how would Daddy and my friends react? 

Ana simply rubs her hands on my back comfortingly.  I go to sleep with the image of James in my head. What I do know is that I want him to like me. 

The weekend passes and I walk up to him, exchanging finished work for new assignments 

“I didn’t finish all your assignments. The restaurant is preparing for the holidays so work is ramping up” he says.

In his eyes I can tell he’s scared, scared of me, afraid that I’ll get angry. I don’t like how that makes me feel.

“It’s alright” I say.

“I-I can get it done by tomorrow. I’ll work on it during my job. Promise!” he pleads, as if he hadn’t heard me.

I shake my head. His face drops. “I need to submit it first period tomorrow.

His lips start to quiver and he looks like he’s going to have a breakdown. 

“I’ll just come around to the restaurant tonight” I declare cheerfully and his face relaxes. 

At 11:30 his shift ends. I arrive at 11:35. I walk into the restaurant to be told he’s already left. 

“Left where?” I snap.

The waiter whom I’m talking to looks like he’s about to pass out. 

“He’s at the bus stop”

“The bus stop?” I ask, I didn’t know school buses operated this late. 

The water, avoiding eye contact, points to the left. Driving to this bus stop, I park at the side of the road and I see him…

He was waiting there but…. I see him with a woman, they look friendly. 

I step out of the car, feeling heated and angry despite the cold air around me. My breath comes out in short puffs.

He hands me the finished work as promised. I say nothing to him, just glare at him before flipping my hair and walking away. 

The next day after I park my car I see a classmate waiting for me, a rose in hand. 

"That's odd," I thought to myself. Before I can ask my classmate over the rose they hand me a basket and walk away. 

As I walk into the hallway, and each class I attend kids are handing me roses. 

Finally at the end of the day, Ben comes up to me. I roll my eyes internally, of course this would all be orchestrated by Ben. He hands me a note. 

Be Mine Forever , Will You Go To HoCo With Me

From yours, Ben 

I look back at James, looking hurt, he looks away. He doesn't deserve to be hurt, filled with a new sense of anger. I smile widely and nod my head. He pulls me to him and embraces me.