One
MONDAYS at my school often begin with disaster. Especially rainy Mondays. Waiting for school bus while the bottoms of your pants were getting all wet, your sneakers were becoming soggy and your umbrella kept blowing inside out is not the best way to start your week. But that’s what was happening to me. I sighed and just wished for a car to stop in front of me and a gorgeous-looking guy would step out from the car, bow and open the door for me, saying “You look wonderful today” in British accent. It did come true. Only the part where a car stopped in front of me with a not bad-looking guy with navy blue eyes and dark brown, bristly hair and oh no, it was Billy.
“Hello, miss. Need a lift, I supposed?
Definitely, it was Billy. Well, a best friend will do.
“Billy! What- I thought you’re in Seattle
“What is Joyce Kilmer without me, Amy? I’m back!” he cheered. I screamed that he’s back so I’d not get struggle in my precious eleventh grade at Joyce Kilmer.
“I’m glad you’re back. I can’t wait to tell Carter. She’s going to scream her head off when she saw you.” I said, jumping onto his jeep.
“Really?” Carter said as she popped out from the back seat. She looked incredibly amazing and pretty and sweet, as usual. Many didn’t realize that. But trust me, I do.
“Carter! So, you knew?” I asked.
Carter shook her head, “I don’t until this morning. Billy picked me first. We thought of giving you a little surprise.”
“Thanks, I am surprised.” I exclaimed, fixing my wet hair.
“Boy, your pants are really wet.” Billy said as he looked down toward my feet.
“I know.” I replied. I was wet from the cuffs of my pants all the way up to my calves. “I had to wait a long time for the bus.”
“That stinks.” Carter said.
“It sure did. By the way, thank you so much for the ride, Billy. I owe you.” I said.
Billy laughed, “Yeah, how about pizza?” He turned the corner toward our school gate and continued, “Guess what, girls? I am going to be your personal chauffeur all the way to school starting today.”
Both Carter and I glanced to each other and screamed, “Jackpot!”
Hearing that, I couldn’t wait to tell my mum I really the school bus.
Being together with Billy and Carter from middle school to Joyce Kilmer High School
“I couldn’t agree more with you, Amy. Count me in.” Carter said as the three of us high-fived. See why they are the best thing ever?
As we walked toward the doorway, I sensed something was not right. Or someone. And it was.
Bridget Addams.
Bumped into Bridget would be the last thing in my to-do-list on my first day of school.
“Oh, look. It’s the ABC pack. Amos, Bill and Cart, right? If I’m not mistaken.” Bridget pointed out at each one of us and laugh hysterically with her what-so-ever-posh friends. “By the way, what happened to your hair, Amy? You look awful. Because of the rain, huh? Well, sometimes, you can’t blame natural phenomena for your ridiculous look.”
Of course she wouldn’t blame the rain. She was going to look perfect all day long. Besides, she’d been smart enough to wear a skirt and high-cut waterproof boots to school so she won’t get soaked in wet.
“There goes my first day. Being humiliated by some posh- chicks before entering the doorway,” I sighed.
Carter said, “I’m sorry.”
“Come on guys, she’s just Bridget. I know you are lot more tougher than she is.” Billy said as he pushed Carter and I to the hallway. Billy’s right. She’s just the same, old diva who weak-skilled in math and history. I’m far more better.
Two
“How’s school?” My mum asked. I tucked into my favorite pistachios-mint flavored ice cream and replied, “Great. I’ve been wringing out my jeans and my hair just hanged there like limp spaghetti throughout the day and I just hate the school bus.”
“Oh honey, Mr. Goldman is the best bus driver in town, you know that.” Mum defended.
“Yeah and late. Actually, Billy drove me to school this morning.” I smiled.
Mum surprised. “Billy Ray? He’s here? I thought he moved to Seattle
“He did. But just got back.” I continued, “He said he would love to be our personal driver to Joyce Kilmer.”
Mum looked even weirder. “Our? He went to JK to?”
“Oh, our mean me and Carter. And yes he went there too.” I exclaimed, sipping my soda after finishing my ice cream.
“Okay. So, I’m just gonna call Mr. Goldman, telling him that you’re quit.” Mum said and reached for the phone.
“Thank you, Mum. Say to him I said thanks for all-this-time ride and I mean it.”
After Billy fetched me, he drove down to Carter’s neighborhood to pick her. Carter looked so nice with pale pink dress and dark brown cardigan and matched them with a pair of bright red flats.
“I can’t believe today’s Tuesday. I’ve been staring at my closet for the whole night to find the best thing to wear because I madly thought it’s Friday. Is it just me or time really going to slow?” Carter complained. She’s right. Two days of school felt like forever. Annoyed much with Bridget and her friends, it made time moved slower.
“You looked just fine. I like you shoes.” I praised.
* * *
It was Mr. Rodriguez’s French class. And now he told us to be ready for a History quiz. Wait a minute. History?
“You didn’t say anything about quiz.” It was Lacey.
Oliver agreed. “Yeah, and you said a History quiz? Because I thought we’re in French class.” Oliver might be little dumb, but he really got the point. Mr. Rodriguez was tapping his chin, probably tried to remember whether he really did tell us to prepare for a History quiz. Actually, he did. But we just don’t get prepared.
“You’re right. Perhaps I’ve mistaken your class with others. In that case, let us continue our review of In Search of Lost Time. Did you bring your novel, class?”
Suddenly, there was a girl with shoulder-length thick blonde hair, dark brown eyes and partially had an overdeveloped social life tapped my back.
“Hi, I’m Lilly March.”
I turned around so I could greet her back. “H-hi, I’m Amy Lockwood.” She was beautiful. Of course, she would be lost for Bridget’s designer clothes and expensive leather boots, but Lilly was just plain beautiful.
“Okay, class. I want you to form a group of two for your upcoming French portfolio.” Mr. Rodriguez announced. I was hesitated to find a partner because that’s the only thing I’m not very good at. I was looking around the class to see who were willing to be my partner and I saw. . . Lilly March!
“Um. . .partner?” I asked her.
“Of course !” She replied with a smile.
And that’s when I realized Bridget was in the class too. She sat at the last row with her friends whom I thought they were too slow for French.
During my fifth period lunch, I met Carter and Billy. Carter told us that a guy from her gym class just asked her out. I wish I was in the same class with Carter.
“Really?” I rolled my eyes, disbelief. Actually, I believed her.
“The name is Emmet Nicholson,” she told me.
Billy, who was busy with his sandwich suddenly startled, “Nicholson? The quarterback?” Billy joined Kilmer’s football team since middle school and now he’s a senior.
“Yes and he is gorgeous.” Carter said with a big smile. As I listened to Carter’s probably-her-love-story, I saw Lilly walking passed our table. I knew she saw me, but she didn’t smile and even walked away. She looked different from the one that I knew in French class.
Three
If you have landed in Bridget’s world of fame, you can never turn back unless if you got yourself mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally and self-consciously, you are most welcomed. Bridget and her snobby friends are so too viscous that can make everyone in the entire school fell under powerful hypnotic spell and totally lost their minds. Like one time, Kaitleen Kline, one of the sweet librarians since middle school couldn’t stand her drear life as a geek when decided to join Bridget’s pack. Now, she has transformed into a divine diva until people hardly recognize her. She even changed her talk-way to something very blatantly rude. She’s a total different. I think every school has its own crowd of diva pack. You can spot them a mile away. They’re the ones who wear the coolest clothes, have the best makeup, and only hang out with each other. Basically, they’re at the top of high school food chain.
I was clearing my locker when I saw Bridget and her posh pack strutting down the hallway like it was the runway of a fashion show or something. Being so close to the radiance of her awesome yet sickening perfection just made me feel like a humongous loser. And it didn’t help that her glittery-sparkle hot pink locker is having right next to mine. I should’ve known it was hers.
“You are not going to believe this, Ames Ames
“What? That Emmet guy did something?” I guessed. I would probably ninety-nine percent right, because lately Carter seemed so lively and happy and just fine since she was having a lovey-dovey time with Emmet. I’m just happy for her.
Carter chuckled “He kissed me,” she continued, “But, promise me you won’t tell anyone except Billy.”
I smiled. “I promised I won’t tell a soul.”
Just then Lilly appeared. “Morning, Amy. You must be Carter Williams.” Lilly said when she turned herself to Carter. Carter nodded, awkwardly. “Y-yes, and you are. . . ?”
“I’m Lilly. Amy’s partner in French class. Amy told me you’re her best friend.” Carter looked at me and then turned to Lilly.
“Okay, I have class now. I’ll just leave you guys for French. Bye!” Carter said as she ran down the hall. I felt bad towards Carter because I haven’t told her about Lilly. She must feel disappointed. Lilly broke the silence.
“Hey, there’s a meeting on Joyce Kilmer Gazette newspaper staff tomorrow. Wanna join?”
I’ve always loved to write. Especially if I am given a special column for my very own article, it will be just like heaven.
“Sure. I would love that.” I replied. Maybe I was wrong. Lilly isn’t that bad. Maybe the last time I saw her, she wasn’t looking at me. Maybe I was being too exaggerated.
* * *
That night I phoned Carter and Billy and told them I wanted to join the school newspaper staff. I even asked them whether they wanted to come along.
Carter said, “No thanks. I’m a freethinker sophomore.”
Billy said, “I don’t even read news. And you’re asking me to write one?”
We laughed.
I did tell Carter that I was sorry for not telling her about Lilly. But Carter is the best thing ever that she didn’t bother about that. Besides, she got hers. “Who’s Lilly?” It was Billy, confused.
Carter replied, “Some chicks.”
And we laughed.
Four
I sat at our lunch table and waited for the newspaper while staring at everybody with theirs, and amazed.
“I smell famous.” I told Billy and Carter. They gave me a queer look and laughed. Then, Larry, the newspaper boy, handed our paper along with his trademark ‘Happy Drooling in Your Paper’. I stared the very first column in the Joyce Kilmer Gazette. That’s what our school’s newspaper is called. It written there ‘In The Know with Madame X’. I knew I felt something wasn’t totally right when I saw it. It read:
‘What a gym-girl has a new love in her life? Seems like the lucky guy might have been one of the quarterbacks. But isn’t it the lucky guy would likely to be luckier if he dates one of the cheerleaders instead of a lowly, self-conscious gym girl?’
I shocked. I swear this is not my article, I thought. I glanced at Carter. Her face went ashen. I knew this had to be about her. After a long silence, Carter finally spoke, ”So, this is your oh-so-amazing column? And I can sense that the gym-girl happens to be me.”
“Carter, I’m not Madame X, okay? I didn’t tell anyone about you and Emmet. I’ve promised!” I cried.
“What about last night? You told me your pseudonym would be madame something, right? Isn’t it X? Carter said, shrieking.
“Look, I’m not stupid enough to name myself as X. You have to believe me. I didn’t write this.” I pleaded. But Carter just threw me a hard look which probably means I don’t want to see or talk to you anymore! and walked off. I turned to Billy who didn’t breathe a word in our conversation.
He said to me, “I don’t know, Amy. If I were Carter, I might blow up. And I’m not sure I should believe you. I mean, you know everything about Carter and her little secrets and you joined the paper stuffs. It could be you. Or not.” Billy faced me with this serious and he-never-show-me-this look and continued, “Listen, prove me you’re guilty and you’re just a play-victim of those people. And I promised I talk to Carter. Is it a deal?” Billy really did make me feel better. But I didn’t think this would turn any better.
Things didn’t always look as they seem.
But I blurt out, “Deal.”
* * *
“What’s wrong with the face?” Mum asked. I really hate telling anyone in my family about my personal stuff and my personal-school stuff. Especially regarding Carter or Billy. My family would just being blithe and laugh hysterically and said, “Oh, honey. Everything gets worse before they get better.” And I’m tired of it.
“Nothing.” I said, hopelessly.
Before I went to bed, I did something that I wish I wouldn’t do. I asked my mum’s opinion.
“Hey, mum. Can I ask you something?”
“You already did.”
“No-Yes, No. I mean, if you’re been accused of something you didn’t do, what would you do?” She explained and explained and I hardly get what she’s talking about. So I made face and she understood.
“In other word, try to investigate who behind of all the messes and solve it.” That’s when she realized what I asked her.
“Amy, have you done something?”
“No, it’s um. . . based-on-real-life English quiz.” I smiled.
After hearing mum’s practical advices, I know what I have to do the very first thing in the next morning.
Five
After Biology class, I hurried to the meeting room where all the newspaper staff held their gathering after fourth period classes. I didn’t have any single second of being polite enough to knock the door first, in case they were discussing something secretive. Without saying hello, I just yelled out:
“I want to know who is this bloody Madame X?” Probably yelling like this wasn’t a brilliant idea. They were giving me all kind of looks that killed me, especially Bridget, who eye-balled me like a mad cow as if I was caught red-handed of doing some major illegal stuff.
“What do you mean? You are the Madame X.” It was Nancy, the president of the board. Just then, I had the most dreadful thought.
Am I been dreaming?
“W-what? What the hell are you talking about?! Since when I became the Madame X? I sent you about life of all-time greatest novelist, Jane Austen and Mark Twain, not some filthy gossips which happened to be about my best friend!” I felt like there was a fist in my gut when I screamed. I never shout that hard to anybody before unless if I watch some Japanese horror flicks, but they deserved it. Nancy
“Oh, come on, Amy. People love it. Doesn’t that please you?” Bridget said, grinning. Maybe she’s right. But this is about Carter. I can’t turn her down. I have to stop it even I have to let go my interest.
“I quit.” I said flatly.
* * *
I skipped school today. I lied my mum by having a massive headache which likely to be heartache. That night, at six o’clock on the dot, my phone rang. The call was from Billy.
“You okay? Ditching, huh?”
“No, I’m having a dreadful life. How’s Carter?”
“She’s cool to me and cold to you. Things will get better sooner or later, Amy.”
“Billy, I – um. . . , I quitted from the newspaper board.”
There was a long pause.
“How’re you going to find out whose setting you up?”
“I’ll think of something. Like you said, things will get better.”
We hung up. I’ll think of something that I said to Billy kept playing inside my head and finally drove me to sleep.
It was first period of Mr. Rodriguez French class. And the class went like forever which I meant it was totally dragged dull. I almost dozed off when Lilly poked behind my back.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Yeah.” I said which on the contrary means a big no. I’m not okay.
“I quitted too. From the board.”
I responded, “You do? But why?”
“You know, I don’t have any friends there. You’re the reason why I signed up for it. If you’re done, I’m done.”
It was nice to hear someone said that. It felt like you’re needed. It reminded me precisely about Carter used to say it. Another moment I felt guilty – she quitted because of me.
“Lilly, if you really love working with the gazette, then do it. Ignore me.”
“I told you, Amy. I need a companion. Just forget about it. You wanna hang out at lunch?” Lilly offered. I was thinking about Carter. There’s no way she wanted to sit with me and Billy got his band practice. Sitting with Lilly would be fine. “Sure.”
“Miss Lockwood, Miss March. Is there anything you want to share with the class about your exciting conversation?” Mr. Rodriguez called our names. Probably he got distracted by our little talk. That’s when I realized the whole class were staring at us.
“N-no.” We both said.
“ Now, tell me – how do we say SILENT and LISTEN in French?”
Oh, great.
Six
It’s been the third time I had lunch with Lilly since things didn’t work out between me and Carter. Lilly was nice to me. I could feel her kindness and her nous were genuine. I felt free to tell her something about almost anything. Basically, everything was nice with laughs and jokes, until Bridget and her round-up gang darted toward our table. There were five of them: Claire, Kaitleen, Tia, Holly and the Queen Bee. Oh, how I hate listing their names.
“Hello, there. What do we have here? Lilly and Amy. This is quiet unusual. I mean, you Amy – aren’t you suppose to be with your ABC pack?” Bridget smirked as she set herself to sit at our table and continued, “And you, Lilly – shouldn’t you be alone?” Didn’t she have any sense of ashamed? We didn’t even invite her to sit. I didn’t think that was a joke but Bridget and her friends really laughing it hard.
I don’t understand Populars.
Bridget’s best friends, Claire, shouted as if we were far enough to hear, “Have you read the paper today? Madame X wrote one of the school band member a.k.a a math geek caught cheating in math quiz? I mean, like how stupid is that?”
“Really?”
“Didn’t he is geek enough in math?”
“Probably too much music inside his brain that math formula became vaguest.”
Wait a minute. A band member? A math geek? Math quiz, yesterday? It’s got to be Billy. I thought in my head. I chocked down my food and caught my breath while Lilly helped me rubbing my back so that I could have my food run along the oesophagus smoothly.
“What’s wrong Amy? Familiar with the math geek?” It was Tia. They laughed except for Bridget. I took a glance at her and yes, she didn’t laugh behind luminious her red lips. She just tittered and smiled as if – she knew all the way.
Billy ever told me that Bridget also took the same math class as him. No wonder she knew Billy was cheating in the quiz. Duh! – like she never cheat before. Or probably worst than cheating. She might call some math geeks from other planet to help her. Hello, it’s Bridget Addams. Anything could happen. But what about Carter’s news? Let me recall back. Carter talked to me about Emmet kissed her at the hallway when I was clearing my locker. And Lilly stopped by – and Bridget was just few lockers away from us! She was putting on her make-up – alone, her friends weren’t there to tag along, perhaps she’d been eavesdropped on our conversation. That’s it!
I stood up, pushing my chair backward and pointed at Bridget, who was busy gossiping with Claire.
“You are an undefined callous!” That’s me, shouting. She stood up too, probably annoyed. But who cared? I was trying to bring justice to all.
“Excuse me? Undefined callous? What’s that for, Lockwood?”
“I know it’s you. The news. About Carter and Billy. Now what? Aren’t you going to write about me? Of course you will, because you are the freaking Madame X!” I yelled. At that moment, I just want to choke her to death she could no longer dare to mess with me or my friends. But I noted how calm she was when I said that.
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Amy. But one thing for sure, I just hate your guts!” She blurted out.
And that’s why she wrote it. She hated my guts.
* * *
Honk! Honk! That’s Billy’s jeep.
“Mum, Billy’s here. I’m going.” I grabbed my bag from the couch and rushed outside. I jumped onto his jeep and greeted, “Good morning.” He smiled and replied, “Cool t-shirt!”
I was glad Billy just got over with the rumor about him. Practically, he didn’t care at all. But he did ever tell me, he really thought it wasn’t Bridget’s fault. I was mad at him, telling of course it was Bridget’s because she hated our guts. Billy shrugged. According to his logical-thinking, Bridget’s sitting position in class located at the first front row, while his at the last back row, which seemed far enough for her to take a glance of him cheating. Besides, it was Miss Decker, the sharp-eagle eyed Mathematics teacher who instructed the class. There’s no way Bridget had her slightest chance. Anyway, Billy’s logical-thinking explanation got the point.
When we arrived at the school parking lot, I realized people were looking at me. I wasn’t sure they were looking at me or Billy until I reached the hallway. Yes, I was sure enough they were looking at me, holding paper with them. I looked around the hall until I finally spotted a stack of Joyce Kilmer Gazette at the end of the hall. Larry only in charged of giving the newspapers at cafeteria. So, I darted toward them and picked up a copy. I eyed at Madame X column. It read:
‘Juicy news, people! Somewhat a freak-minded, one-day journalist of the gazette picked a fight with the Queen Bee over who is the Madame X? Who win or lose? You decide. It can’t be the Queen Bee is the Madame X. Bet the loser will be staring at the paper, shedding tears at toilet bowl.’
I did, though I wasn’t shedding tears in toilet bowl but I was thinking. Billy’s right about it’s not Bridget’s fault. Even she hated our guts. She wouldn’t expose herself in the paper if she is the Madame X. But who?
Seven
It was Sunday morning where clouds were hanging low and depressing. Supposedly I have to accompany my mum shopping for some groceries. Instead I ended up lying awake on my bed, drooling. I tried to call Lilly to come over since she has become my friend all the way and for being such a wonderful listener. Apart from that, I wanted to ease my mind over Madame X. Unfortunately, she couldn’t make it. I really, badly wanted to call Carter since it’s Monday night so we could watch Friends together, but you know. . . she. . .
Suddenly, my phone rang. Probably it’s from Lilly, changing her mind to come over. Dang! Wrong. It was Carter!I picked it up slowly and steadily.
“Um. . . hello, Amy?” Her voice seemed strained and unsure.
“Carter! Hi, how are you?” I said casually, hiding my excitement that she called me.
“I’m good. Hey, can I come over?” I can’t believe she could actually say that.
“Sure. You wanna stay late? We can watch Friends series.”
Carter was silence, maybe thinking whether it’s okay for her to join in after been mad at me for too long but she agreed.
That night, Carter and I had so much fun, forgetting what had happened between us. A moment later, our laughter broke into a complete silence.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her.
“I’m sorry about everything. I shouldn’t point you out. I should’ve known it wasn’t you. I really should.” She said dreary. I knew her apologize was genuine and that she was terribly sorry.
“Just get over it. I’m good.” I said, convincing her that I’m completely fine. Carter told me she had read last week’s paper regarding fighting with Bridget. I admitted it was me because I really thought it was her.
“Then you changed your mind?” Carter asked.
“I’m not changing my mind. But I think Bridget isn’t the Madame X. I mean, she wouldn’t uncover herself in public.”
“You have any idea who it was, then?”
“I don’t.”
“We will find out, Amy. I promised.”
* * *
“Okay how weird is this?” Billy said as he sat down at our table during lunch and looked around the cafeteria.
“Very weird.” I agreed in a soft voice. “They’re all over the place.”
Bridget and her posh friends (the Divas) were scattered all around the cafeteria, instead of sitting at their usual star-studded table by the window. Bridget was with Sean, the football captain. Claire was sitting all by herself, pretending to read a book, while Tia was at the usual Divas’ table, painting her nails. Kaitleen and Holly were over the juice machine at the corner of the cafeteria.
“This is cool. That Madame X is really something. With one sentence she can bring the Divas down to their knees.” Billy exclaimed. I haven’t read the paper yet, but I’m pretty sure it was about one or two of them. Suddenly, a flash struck inside my head about what had happened this morning at the hallway:
As usual, a few of the Divas had gathered at Bridget’s locker to put their morning makeup. They actually did that every day. If they’re not putting it on, they either gossiping or sticking their nose on people’s business. But today, instead of giggling or gossiping, they looked furious, especially Claire.
“I cannot believe you people. How could you?!” she demanded.
“How could we what?” It was Tia.
“Which one of you jerks did this?” Claire shouted at the top of her lungs as she waved a copy of newspaper in her hands. ”Now the whole school will know!”
Bridget snatched the paper from her hands and she was completely flabbergasted.
“Was it you, Brid? Claire said, angrily. Bridget still looked shocked and puzzled and trembled when she said, “I – I . . .”
“So, it was you. I can’t believe this. I thought we were friends.” Claire said. And her voice dwindled away. Bridget, who was still holding the paper, looked like she’s on the verge of tears. Others headed to classes, leaving Bridget all alone.
As I watched the Divas battling it out at Bridget’s locker this morning, I was struck by an amazing thought. Whoever this Madame X was, she was now the most powerful person in school. She left everyone in the school suspicious and nervous. Who would be next? Apparently, no one was safe. Not even the Divas.
Eight
To an outsider, things at our school might seem quite normal the next day. But even they looked that way, they weren’t normal at all. Everything seemed a little bit off.
For starters, Bridget was at her locker, beside mine, putting on makeup, as always. But this time she was all alone. She didn’t look like herself because she usually wore trendy clothes and leather boots. But today she dressed herself in plain-plaid t-shirt and flats. After all, she really looked troubled.
I mustered the courage to talk to her in case if she needs anyone whom she could talk to.
“Hi, Bridget. Nice t-shirt.”
“Are you insulting me or something?” she shuddered.
I didn’t mean to insult her. Frankly, it’s true that her t-shirt looked great even it’s austere and grey but it’s Ralph Lauren.
“No, Bridget. I’m sorry. I just want to know if you need someone to talk to about anything.”
Bridget narrowed her alluring eyes at me, probably disgust about my concerning and flatly said, “No.” If I have to jump into the sea from the highest cliff wearing nothing but my favorite spring dress that Dad gave me last summer only to find out who is the Madame X, I’ll do it.
“I know you’re not Madame X. I’m sorry that I accused you. But now, your friends think you are. Aren’t you going to fight back? Tell me, Bridget. Who is Madame X?”
Her response remained shut. She looked numb. But I continued, “I’ll be at the bleachers during lunch if you feel like talking.”
* * *
I haven’t seen Lilly these past few days. She didn’t even attend the French class or pick up my calls. I wondered if she’s sick.
I went to the bleachers behind the school building during lunch rolled over on fifth period right after my math class. Carter couldn’t join me because she had her volleyball practice and Billy was missing in action. I sat there alone, enjoying the view of the school field as the sun had climbed higher in the sky. I was actually anticipated Bridget to come even I expected she wouldn’t. But I could take my time and she could take hers.
Why she wouldn’t want to speak up when she knew Madame X? I wondered.
And there she was. She looked absolutely incredible when the light from the sun shone through her blonde hair.
“I thought you will not come.” I said, skeptically.
“I thought you will not be here if you thought I wouldn’t come.”
“I was trying my luck.”
“Yeah, right.” Bridget smiled.
It was easy to talk to Bridget if you knew her well. Probably she always mocking me that made me hated her cunning habit very much. But deep inside me, I was glad Carter and Billy were my friends. “It was Lilly.” Bridget blurted out, looking at me.
“What?” I surprised.
“Lilly March is the Madame X, Amy,” she said almost shouted.
I felt turmoil of emotions flooded through me at that single moment. “Seriously? You can’t be joking,” I tittered.
“No, I’m serious! I told her all about Carter when she asked me,” she said.
“What happened?”
Bridget told me it happened on last Sunday morning where she and Lilly accidentally met in a mall. Lilly was being so nice to her and Bridget thought Lilly can be her shopping companion on that Sunday. I can’t believe Bridget and Lilly could spend time together because we all knew they came from two different worlds. She told me they talked almost about everything. Bridget didn’t realize Lilly was digging her friends’ dark secrets.
“I didn’t think twice. I told her everything without realizing what I’ve done.” Bridget cried, covering her face with her palms. I listened in astonished and shocked and unbelievable that actually Lilly March was behind all this messes.
Nine
If only the Joyce Kilmer gazette didn’t even exist in the first place. If only I knew Lilly March was the undefined callous. If only I knew she was a fake. I take back my words, saying she was plain beautiful and stuff because I totally realize now she’s more than that. She’s a beautiful liar, a beautiful-wicked witch, a beautiful faker and definitely not a human being. And now, I’m going to unlock the truth.
* * *
As Billy, Carter and I made our way to our classes, I saw Lilly and Bridget were hanging around at the end of the hallway. It was my idea to have Bridget to pretend to be sweet in front of Lilly for the time being until I found the perfect time to lurk her for her little-wicked scheme. I knew Bridget never liked the idea, but that’s the only way to stop Lilly.
“Um, guys. I can’t hang out during lunch. I’ve got something else.” I told Carter and Billy. “You guys okay about that?” Both of them shrugged and nodded. Right after the fifth period bell rang, I rushed outside the class with my bag dangled on my right shoulder and some history textbooks carried on my hands. But Mrs. Russo stopped me. ”Miss Lockwood, why are you in rush? Have you hand in your homework?” Only then I realized I stuffed my history homework under my pillow. I tiptoed toward her and avoid of eye-contact with her. It might be dangerous. “Mrs. Russo, I wanted to tell you that you looked awful amazing today. Please expect my homework on your table first thing in the morning tomorrow.” I smiled. “Alright then. But first thing in the morning or you’ll get an E,” she said while narrowing her eyes to me. And I rushed outside.
I stuffed my books inside my locker when my phone rang. It’s coming from Bridget. “Hello, Amy. She’s in the toilet at Wing C.”
“I’ll be there.”
As soon as I reached the toilet’s door, I cleared myself out and heaved a huge sigh. Okay this is it. I walked slowly toward the sink and pretend to fix my hair. “Oh - hi, Lilly.” I said. She looked different. I barely recognize her with her navy blue eye-shadowed eyes, thick black mascara, luminous red lips and a pair of huge-dangling heart-shaped earrings.
“Wow, you looked great.” I said, trying to sound casual. She hardly met my eyes. “Thanks,” she said.
Eventually I started the real conversation.
“You know Lilly, sooner or later, they will figure it out.”
She looked at me with a surprise. “What are you talking about?”
I tried to sound silly, “you know what I’m talking about” with a sinister smile. “The news.” I could see her eyes were running through the toilet room, as they were trying to find a perfect spot to land on. Then, she smiled as her eyes finally stopped searching and gazed at me. “Madame X? She asked that sounded quite fake. “You mean the gossip columnist in the school paper?”
“I mean you.” I said flatly. “I know it was you who printed all the stuff about Carter and the fight between me and Bridget because you were there.” How strange to watch Lilly looked so calm yet comfortable after what I had said but I didn’t bother as I continued intuitively, “I don’t know how you got Billy his cheating act, but somehow I knew it was all you.”
“I sat next to him during the quiz.” She answered frankly and smiled as if I just asked her where do you live?
“You’re going to be sorry for it!” I shouted. Her smile suddenly faded from her red lips. Her breath seemed heavy and she finally let down her head, facing the sink.
“I’m sorry, Amy. I just – I just have to,” she hesitated. But before I could say anything, she continued, lifting her head up and faced herself in the mirror. “I’ve been a freak since freshmen. People never liked me. I feel left out. One night, before the school starts, I made a deal to myself that I want to turn things different this year. When I heard about the gazette, I know I can do something about it and how I can manipulate you for information. I had fun, Amy. I really had. Watching people love it made my happy.”
“But you broke some of their hearts.”
“What about mine? Do they ever care?” she screamed.
“Lilly, if you need a friend, just ask. That’s all you ever need. I became your friend because I know you are nice. You don’t have to be somebody else.”
Lilly was numb. Maybe the thing I said made her realize. She’s supposed to be her own self. “I know it was all my fault. I promised things will get back as it used to be tomorrow.” She said gloomily as she made her way out of the toilet.
Ten
|
The first thing that is printed on Joyce Kilmer Gazette, was Lilly official apology. I stood in front of my locker and stared at the newspaper in my hand. I think this is what she promised me. The gossip column is finally canceled by the board committee and is replaced with funny posts and comic strips called ‘Laugh, won’t You?’ which sounded moreinteresting. Just then I saw Bridget and her friends strutted toward her locker. I watched the five of them and anticipated Bridget would thank me as I helped her clearing her name from false accusing. But it was futile because she didn’t. In fact, she basically ignored me.
Which meant everything was completely back to normal.
* * *
That night, I called Billy, Carter and Lilly to have a night out. Eventually, the four of us had become friends. We watched an outdoor movie where they got this big screen placed out in open air at the park and played horror movie,The Ring. I’m glad Billy and Carter got over everything that happened and finally accepted Lilly. They forgave her for whatever thing she had done. Hey, people make mistakes.
“I’m going to get a haircut tomorrow.” Lilly said as she let her dirty blonde hair fall on her shoulder.
“Really?” I said, disbelief.
“Yeah and then dye it hot pink.” Lilly smiled.
Carter surprised, picturing how Lilly will look like with hot pink hair above her head and laughed, “You got to be kidding!”
“Girls, I’m watching over here,” Billy exclaimed when he really got himself absorbed into the movie with his popcorn and soda.
Amidst the chill air in the park, I gazed up at the sky; the moon was brightly shone tonight. The things that had happened these days started flooding back through my mind. It was fun, actually. I thought. People make mistakes and eventually they changed. There still a long way to go in front of me and I know I have a lot to face in future.
THE END.
By : Amy Lockwood