This week’s word on Trifecta was
cheap adj \ˈchēp\
1 a : purchasable below the going price or the real value
b : charging or obtainable at a low price <a good cheaphotel> <cheap tickets>
c : depreciated in value (as by currency inflation) <cheapdollars>
2 : gained or done with little effort <a cheap victory> <talk ischeap>
3 a : of inferior quality or worth : tawdry, sleazy <cheapworkmanship>b : contemptible because of lack of any fine, lofty, or redeeming qualities <feeling cheap>
I’m picking right back up after A Mask in the Necessary storyline. To read the rest in order, click on the Fiction link at the top of the page. I really want to go back to magical things happening, but that story didn’t seem quite done enough. Plus, as one commenter (my sister, for those keeping track) mentioned, the ‘bad guy’ doesn’t just appear that way… how did they get to be the bad guy? Not to mention, is he really bad?
A few questions – does this seem at all realistic for a high school scene? Characters/events/etc? I’ll be honest – I drifted, oblivious, through highschool with very few interactions with the ‘mean girls’, and, unfortunately, in those few interactions, it wasn’t me they went after, because they go after the one least able to defend herself. Like hyenas. Moving on. What kind of vibe are you getting from new-character-Katie?
Link up or read some of the other responses over at Trifecta.
The picture below is titled “Defeated Dragon”, hopefully it works with the story as well as it did for me. Check out more of Daniel Dociu’s work by clicking on the image.
It wasn’t worth it.
She told them I was just a spiteful wannabe, lying to hurt her. Her coterie of hangers-on flocked to comfort her – so hard to be so beautiful, so popular. Lesser beings use their cheap, nasty words to hurt you. So hard to be Jennifer.
I cringed at the whispers and glares. I slunk, eyes glued to my cafeteria tray, towards the already seated Joanna.
I stumbled. I looked around in surprise, having barely prevented myself from face-planting in my food. A football jock met my stare blandly, pulling his foot casually back under the table.
I slammed my tray down and slumped over in my seat. “We should have gone there for lunch.”
Tears prickled behind my eyes.
She smiled sympathetically and waved a carrot stick at me. “It’s tough, but she only wins if you run and hide.”
“Woops!”
I gasped as the mess of creamed corn and mashed potato dripped down the back of my neck and soaked into my shirt. The girl behind me, I recognised as one of Jennifer’s posse who had avoided eye-contact with her during the fight. Her empty tray hung limp in her fingers, and, though she had a pleased smirk plastered over her face, I couldn’t help but notice the unhappiness in her eyes.
“You-“ my voice broke. I give up. She backed up in alarm when I stood up.
Joanna swung around the table and stood toe to toe with the girl. “Did this get you back into her Royal Highness’s good graces, Katie?” she snarled. She thrust her chin forward like a fist, causing the girl to stumble back a step. She lowered her voice. “If your brother could see you now.”
Katie jerked back as though she’d been slapped, her face crumpling.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, willing the tears back. “Joanna, stop.”
“Why?”
“She’s winning anyways. Don’t sink to her level.”
“Fine.”
I left, blurry eyed.
I didn’t see Katie leave in the same state.