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Chapter 15, Part 7
Back to: Chapter 15, Part 6 Next: Chapter 16, Part 1

Tiffani looked around at the group, who shifted in awkward silence. AJ and Emily both wore sunglasses, and Ophelia looked drained. Only Angela looked relatively comfortable with the situation.

“Hey,” Tiffani said, to break the ice, “nice shades. Still hung over or something?”

“Bloodshot eyes,” Emily replied. “We were taking turns kneeling before the porcelain throne the other day.”

“Leaving offerings to the almighty god Ralph,” AJ added. “Luckily, Mom and Dad figured we just had a stomach virus. Ignorance is bliss.”

“And you look like you haven’t slept in a few days,” Tiffani continued, to Ophelia.

“Seasonal insomnia,” she lied, shifting her gaze away.

Tiffani sighed and said, “I’ve brought you all together-- brought us all together-- because we need to talk. Ever since we’ve joined different clubs, we’ve all changed.”

“That’s untrue!” Angela contradicted.


Tiffani ignored the outburst and continued. “Ophelia, Emily, you two used to be such close friends. I bet you haven’t hung out in weeks, have you? Emily, you’ve always been so smart and didn’t let other people tell you what to think or how to dress. So why would you let Andi change you, when you gave me the look of death for the same thing months ago? Why would you avoid listening to your better judgment and drink something that you haven’t seen mixed, when you know the risks? The Emily I remember wouldn’t have been concerned about trying to fit in or be popular; she’d have considered what she felt was right and safe. And Ophelia, what happened to the unique rebel I knew and respected? Respected… hell, I couldn’t resent you for attracting AJ-- you’re smart, attractive in an unconventional way, a better person than I am, talented, and you’re not afraid to do your own thing, no matter how uncool other people think it might be. Yet, I hear it was your idea to crash the party. The Ophelia I remember would have just rolled her eyes and suggested… I don’t know… something unique and clever and way more fun. The other night, I had to save Emily from this emo-looking girly boy, and I had to think, 'What would Ophelia do?' The Ophelia I know would have been there to help Emily herself! Hell, I remember when you didn’t go around, hooking up with guys at parties--”

“Uh, actually,” AJ interrupted, “nothing happened. I was too drunk to try anything, if you catch my drift. I didn’t do anything with Ophelia that could be considered inappropriate. We talked about our problems.”

“Okay, fine,” TIffani replied, “no one was hooking up with anyone. AJ, I remember when you didn’t get so damn plastered that you started spilling your guts to people, especially female people, and especially someone you look up to as much as Ophelia.”

“Actually, he didn’t know it was me,” Ophelia spoke up.

“Fine,” Tiffani sighed, rolling her eyes. “I remember a time when AJ didn’t go around, telling his deepest thoughts and worried to unidentified people.” She paused, waiting for someone to correct her. Since no one spoke up, she continued speaking. “AJ, don’t you miss spending time with women who liked you for more than just your talents in sports? Don’t you miss spending time with people who enjoy being around you, even when you’re at your worst?”

AJ bowed his head, not answering.

“And Angela,” Tiffani continued, “Angela… you’re done a total 180. You’ve turned into Miss Modern and Trendy. What the hell happened to you? Granted, you and I never interacted much, but still… I miss having you around. You were always so polite, even when people were being jerks. I envied that. And I do want to be friends with you, really. Do you really want to be part of a group of people who used to pick on you all the time? What are you going to do when they grow tired of you and turn on you?”


Angela turned her head, not responding. After several seconds of complete silence, Emily unexpectedly burst into tears. “You’re right,” she gasped out, between sobs. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let other people tell me what to do. If I hadn’t gotten drunk… if I had just left…” She buried her head in her arms.

Ophelia and AJ hurried over to her, anxious to comfort her. Ophelia hugged Emily tightly. AJ said softly, “It’s not your fault at all, Em. It’s my fault for being such an idiot and getting plastered, rather than being there to take care of you.”

“You didn’t even know she was there, AJ,” Ophelia argued. “I actually did, and I was in the room, crying, after giving up looking for her. I wanted to talk to her and ask how things were. If I’d just made a few more rounds through the house, I could have stopped it.”

“Stop blaming yourselves,” Tiffani snapped. “Whose fault it is isn’t the point. The point is…” Here, she too burst into tears. “…Point is, I f**king missed you guys.” She hugged AJ and Ophelia tightly and squeezed Emily‘s hands.

Emily wiped her face. “Guys,” she said shakily, “I know this is a really idiotic thing for me to ask, but…” She swallowed hard, trying to keep control of herself. “…But… is it maybe possible for us to… uh… go back to doing the news show?”

Tiffani let out a gaspy laugh of relief and delight. “I’ll be happy to do it,” she replied. She looked over at the others. “How about you guys?”

“I’m in,” AJ said quickly.

“Me too. I’m sick of those damn potheads,” Ophelia added.

“I’m not,” Angela said sharply.

“What?” Tiffani cried out.

“I am sick and tired of the so-called Clique News Crash show. It’s not that great, really. I’m having more fun with the cheerleading and dance team than I was with the news show,” Angela replied calmly.

“But… but…” Tiffani stammered.

Angela turned on her heel. “I suppose you’re going to need someone to operate the camera now. Good luck with that,” she called over her shoulder.

_________________________________


Brandon shut his locker and began to turn to head to class, when two pairs of strong hands grabbed him and slammed him up against the locker.

“What do you want?” he asked shakily.

“I heard what you did to my sister, you punk!” AJ snapped.

“Brandon, what the hell were you thinking?” Ophelia yelled. “You went after my best friend!”

“Oh God…” Brandon gasped. “You’re scarier than her girlfriend was!”

Ophelia and AJ exchanged confused looks, then refocused their attention on Brandon.

“Was it your idea, or did someone put you up to it?” Ophelia asked sharply.

“Andi!” Brandon cried out fearfully. “She told me to do it.”

“Are you sure?” AJ asked.

“Positive!” Brandon exclaimed. “She told me to ‘break Emily in,’ if you know what I mean.”

Ophelia glowered, and AJ said angrily, “You’re getting off easy this time. Next time I hear you did anything to any unwilling woman, you have to face me and all my friends. And guess what, bro. We don’t take kindly to guys mistreating women.”

Brandon squealed out an unintelligible response.

“Let’s go,” Ophelia said, leading AJ away. “You go head to the ‘studio.’ I’ll go talk to Mae. She’s going to have fun with this. She doesn’t like Andi either, and they’re cousins! Mae gets ticked when she hears about stunts like these. If Andi shows up to school bald or permanently bruised, you’ll know why.”

____________________________________


“Hello, Oakdale High! It’s been a long time, but the Clique News Crash crew has gotten back together,” Tiffani said cheerfully.

“We all know you missed us like crazy, as evinced by the hundreds of messages on the fan forum, begging us to start airing shows again,” Emily added. “Well, here we are. However, we’ve made a few changes. Our former camera operator, Angela Paxton, has decided to move on to other things. So, our new cameraman is none other than Louie Rivers!”

“Let’s hope we don’t drive him totally insane,” AJ joked.


___________________________________


A group is only as strong as its weakest member, Dunstan thought. But if you force the group to act as individuals, they learn which people bring the group down and which make the team better. He smirked in a rather sinister manner. However, what Angela doesn’t realize that I knew all along is that she was the weakest member. By removing her from the equation, it made the team better. Ophelia will not have her guard up now. And then…

Here, Dunstan noticed that Angela was staring at him, slightly afraid. Those big fearful eyes, that pale face… it was just like that other time, years ago…

No time to dwell on that, he thought. Best to avoid letting Angela realize that I’ve essentially removed her from her sanctuary and have thrown her to the wolves.

Dunstan smiled charmingly. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was just thinking. I didn’t mean to be so quiet for so long.”

“That’s okay,” Angela replied quietly. “I don’t mind you keeping me on pins and needles.”

Click Next: Chapter 16, Part 1 to continue...

 
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