Revenge of the Girl With the Great Personality Read Free Page B

my hand.
    Oh no, it’s not customary to thank a person for doing something for you. It is I who should be thanking you, dear Brooke, for allowing me to wait on you.
    Of course I keep my mouth shut. There are certain scenarios (pageants) and people (the Popular Posse) that require me to keep my thoughts in my head. I didn’t say anything when Brooke started a “Katie Francis is a Skank” page after Katie beat Brooke for cheer captain. Or when Brooke started the rumor that Cam cheated on her physics final since Cam wasn’t just one of the few who passed, but she aced the test.
    The last thing I want is to become another victim of Brooke’s wrath.
    To be fair, not all of the Popular Posse are as obnoxious as Brooke. Hannah’s pretty nice. And as much as that pains me since she’s with Logan, so is Alyssa. Meanwhile, the guys are just guys. Unless you’re a football or a walking version of a Victoria’s Secret catalog, they don’t really seem to care.
    Brooke comes out of the dressing room wearing the skirt and a tight tank top, leaving little to the imagination. She flips her shiny black hair (she’s always flipping it, or putting it up in a ponytail, or doing something to draw attention to the fact she has hair that defies the Texas heat) and studies herself in the mirror. “I think this is perfect for Josh’s party,” she says.
    I turn my attention to a row of T-shirts that need to be refolded, but all I can hear is Brooke’s loud voice echoing in our now nearly empty store.
    “Josh has the best parties. Everybody is going to be there.”
    I hear Hannah murmur in a low voice, probably trying to attempt some sort of friendly wisdom on Brooke.
    “Hey, Lexi!” Brooke calls sweetly to me. “I think I’m all set. Do you mind ringing us up?”
    I give her a smile as I take her handkerchief — I mean skirt — to the register. I remind myself about what Cam once told me about Brooke. They used to be friends eons ago (grade school) and Cam said that Brooke is one of the most insecure people she’s ever known, which is why she overcompensates by being loud. So maybe she isn’t as bad as she sometimes puts on.
    “Oh my God, look at this!” Brooke picks up a pair of pants from the plus-size display. “Oink! Oink!” She steals a look at me. “No offense.”
    Or not.
    I don’t want to be shallow, although that’s laughable when in the presence of Brooke. But I think I have a way better body than her. I know that sounds conceited, but at least I have some muscle and fat. I have something that could be considered a figure, while Brooke is a walking skeleton with a ginormous push-up bra. I can’t understand why guys fall for it.
    But they do.

    I meet Benny and Cam for my half-hour break at the food court (a.k.a. The Court).
    “You’ll split fries with me, won’t you?” Cam greets me as I sit down at their table.
    Benny gives me a smile, then motions at Cam. “The girl’s craving fries and I’ve given up carbs.”
    I bite my tongue so I won’t say “again.” Benny’s always on some sort of diet. It never lasts long. He’s just a big teddy bear, and I honestly couldn’t imagine him any other way. But of course I don’t say any of this because Benny abhors his nickname since middle school, Benny the Bear. As much as we try to tell him it’s because his last name is Bayer, we all know the truth.
    I shake my head. “I can’t. I already had some today.”
    Cam’s mouth is agape. “You ate fries without me? This friendship is so over.” She gets up and heads over to the burger place.
    I pull out my protein bar and start to nibble on it.
    Benny picks at his salad. “So how did our precious baby girl do today?”
    “I handled myself well, thank you very much.”
    He chuckles. “Good to know, since I was obviously talking about you.”
    “I can’t imagine you’d be referring to anybody else.”
    Cam puts her tray of greasy yet delicious-smelling fries down. Both Benny and I eye it with envy.