Popularity
My week has been slow, also being pushed, pulled, and ignored hasn’t made it any better. First and second hour had lasted longer than the Trojan War. This school was bigger than most I’ve been to, easier to get lost in. It doesn’t bother me that no one has talked to me, blending in is kind of my thing. I’d even made a mental list of who to stay away from; Michelle the school bully, her groupies, and the other mean kid, Lucas, who had knocked my books out of my hands earlier. I was making my way towards the lunch room when a girl with long, curly chestnut hair popped in front of me.
“Hello my name is Alyssa, and yours is?” the girl, Alyssa uttered looking at me.
“Umm, hello I’m Gracie.” I replied shyly. Two more girls appeared behind Alyssa.
“This is Jade,” Alyssa pointed to a girl with bronze skin and straight black hair. “And this is Danielle.” She gestured to a short mousy girl with flaming red hair. The girl Danielle spoke up,
“You can just call me Dani.” These girls seemed nice enough, maybe they would like me to sit with them. I’d never had enough time to make real friends, I move around too much, but when your dad is serving the country you really don’t get much say.
“Umm, Gracie did you hear me? I asked if you wanted to sit by us?” Alyssa repeated twirling her hair.
“Sure.” I responded warily. As we were slowing traveling to a table I noticed some girls eyeing Alyssa, as if she were a goddess or something. Alyssa noticed them and sauntered over.
“Oh, hi Libby.” Alyssa sneered staring down a girl with a bright yellow shirt on. “Nice shirt very, what’s the word?
“Obnoxious!” Jade jeered. She laughed as she pointed towards her.
“Obnoxious it is.” Alyssa agreed while nodding her head. Why was Alyssa acting like this? The whole thing was making my head hurt, then, BAM out of nowhere she dropped her Sloppy Joe all over Libby. I just stood there and followed Alyssa when she walked off. This wasn’t usually me, to be one the bully's cronies. With shock I realized that is exactly what I had become in a matter of minutes. Alyssa had that kind of effect on people, I could tell she’d brainwashed Jade and Dani a long time ago. The fact that they supervene her every move was scary, like they had no mind of their own. But, that was also me too, eager to be part of something. I have never been accepted by a group so simply. We sat down at a table near the back of the lunch room.
“Gracie, as the newest member of our group, I officially invite you to a Friday night sleepover!” Alyssa announced animatedly. No one has ever invited me over before, let alone invited me over for a sleepover, I was ecstatic..
“Sure! I’ll be there.” I said as the girls beamed and continued eating. After the bell rang to dismiss us for the day, I found Alyssa.
“Oh there you are, grab your things, you can come home in my car with me!” I hadn’t told my mom I was going home with someone else. She wouldn’t get mad, she would be happy I made new friends. What a small price to pay for being popular. We walked outside and Alyssa stopped abruptly in front of a car. This wasn’t just any car. From the tags on the side to the stares from students, I could tell this was a Lamborghini. Alyssa casually climbed inside and waved for me to do the same.
“Danielle and Jade will be here soon. Mrs. Amplo always keeps them late.” Alyssa explained as I climbed in. The leather seats of the car were smooth under my rough fingers. I’d never been in such a nice car, I hardly noticed when the two girls came and we drove away. We arrived at a house that looked like it had been transported from the T.V.
“As always, the Millium’s is kept nice.” Jade complimented ogling at the house.
“Only the best for you.” Alyssa said sweetly and opened the door. Saying this house was beautiful, no it was more than that, it was perfect. There was a high ceiling, a spiraling staircase, leather couches, and a crystal chandelier. One whole room was almost as big as my house, far less grand than this.
“You’ll put your bags on the floor here.” Alyssa ordered us.
“Where are you putting yours?” Dani asked innocently.
“I would never put my bag on the floor!” Alyssa replied offended.
“Then why do we?” Jade said with a fire in her eyes. She always seemed to  have a temper on her.
“This is my house and what I say goes.” She replied with finality, her face looking as red as a tomato. “You can go up to my room I’ll grab us some snacks.” She said as if nothing had happened.  
“Why is Alyssa so mean to everyone?” I asked as we were walking upstairs, Jade and Dani stopped in their tracks and turned around to face me, their faces grave.
“She used to be bullied.” Jade answered quietly looking back down the stairs. I could hear the sound of cabinets opening and closing.
“Why? She has everything!” I questioned confused. There was no way this girl I had met was bullied. From what I had seen she was the bully, hadn’t these girls witnessed the Libby fiasco?
“She used to be rather heavy. People made fun of her a lot. Then she lost a ton of weight and tormented everyone who was ever mean to her. Now she’s the most popular girl in school.” Dani said in a hushed tone careful not to be overheard. Glancing down the stairs every three seconds.
“Sometimes Alyssa is nice, other times a monster. I’ve begun to dislike her, I think Dani would agree.” Jade added frowning the whole time.
“Then why are you still friends?” I wondered aloud.
“Like I said she’s the most popular girl in school.” Dani answered as if that was the only reason. What a horrible thing I felt some remorse for Alyssa. Then I noticed her out of the corner of my eye.
“She won’t be as popular without you guys. You’d do just fine without her.” I whispered. They pondered that and continued walking upstairs as Alyssa brought up the rear.
“What were you guys talking about that stopped you from going to my room?” Nobody answered just shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders.

At school the following Monday, Alyssa chatted with us although we said nothing. Everything seemed to go by in slow motion. Last night I decided I was done with these girls. Whether or not Dani and Jade were with me. At lunch I made my move, I went and sat by a girl named Libby, with Jade and Dani on my right.
“What are you doing?” Alyssa asked us angrily, her nostrils flaring.
“Doing what I should’ve done a while ago!” Jade yelled defiantly. Alyssa screamed in frustration and stomped off.
“Welcome to our group.” Libby said smiling at us. This was better already.