Chapter Four: Hello World Pt. 2

Monday. April 19th, 2010.

Mrs. Stone's daughter must've been a very short ten-year-old, Bailey decided as she adjusted the short black skirt so that it at least reached the middle of her thighs. The tight material stretching across her bottom and chest hadn't bothered her when she was underneath her fall coat or when she'd been inside her house, but walking through the halls of Haven Prep she felt like a monster on display.

She reasoned that it was probably because she was new. That it had absolutely nothing to do with her butt hanging out of her skirt. What really got her was that her breasts, which usually she'd considered on the smallish side, felt like they would pop loose at any given moment. She actually felt busty today, but still extremely uncomfortable.

Bailey also had a longer torso than Mrs. Stone's daughter, apparently. The white tuxedo shirt that was supposed to be tucked in kept slipping loose, causing her to be lightly scolded by the teaching staff every so often. The only thing that worked with her outfit was the required black tie and, of course, her hair, which she'd put on either side of her head in a spiral fashion, allowing her bangs to dangle in front of her eyes with stray brown strands curving down her cheeks.

Bailey had felt different ever since they'd gotten to Haven, minus that massive mistake of a phone call and her initial anger at the move in the first place. She felt like something wonderful would happen, it was just that feeling that things were going to change, this time for the better. So when she'd gotten up this morning she'd actually put a little effort into her appearance and applied some smoky charcoal eye-shadow, matching mascara, and peach colored lip gloss. Though she refused the elegant high heeled shoes Mrs. Stone had assured would be to the highest fashion at school.

"I'd like to keep my feet," Bailey had explained to her.

She'd ignored the disapproving look Mrs. Stone had given her. It wasn't like she could please everyone after all.

Besides, putting on make-up was a big step for Bailey. It was unheard of for her. Gale had almost dropped the carton of orange juice when she'd walked into the kitchen that morning. Her mother speechless was new. Apparently, Mrs. Stone had been right about those dreaded high heels though because most of the females were wearing them when she'd gotten to school.

At least it wasn't dress code.

Throughout the day, with the multiple stares, the occasional dirty proposition, and teacher scolding's, she'd thanked her lucky stars she'd not worn those high heels. It would have been the proverbial cherry on top.

The school wasn't overly big, but the halls seemed to go on for day's none-the-less. While they weren't bulging with people like her old school, there was enough that she had to do awkward dodges to get through. It was because of this that her feet were killing her and she was wearing tennis shoes, another item she'd been scolded about since they weren't dress code. Bailey was positive most females at Haven Prep would like a minute or two alone with the ass that'd invented high heels. They must've been ready to die at the end of the day.

So, aside from teachers whom wouldn't give the new girl a break, the first few periods had gone by as if she'd never left her old school. People left her alone and she read, or caught up on the piles of homework that had been assigned whenever she had the chance.

It was around lunch time that things changed. It happened the minute she saw Gwendolyn Atherton. Staring at her, Bailey knew something had been set into motion. It was like fate. What would happen, she didn't know. It was just a feeling after all, just like the one that had made her apply make-up this morning, just like the ones that had ostracized her at her old school. She couldn't ignore it then either.

The vibrant, slightly eccentric, dyed fire engine red-haired girl was a force to be reckoned with. Bailey wondered for a moment if all the red she'd seen lately had been just a way of preparing her for this girl's hair color.

Gwen was loud, she spoke her mind and she challenged everything, or so Bailey had been told when she'd asked a mousy looking girl that had walked by her just two minutes ago. And everyone seemed to love her.

Gwen was that popular girl that every girl wanted to be and every guy wanted; the girl that people hate to love. The cliché Bailey had spoken of, but she was so magnetic and Bailey was just a random piece of metal gravitating towards her, with her tray... and her opened container of Welch's grape juice.

Being one of the few people who seemed to enjoy hot school cafeteria food, Bailey hadn't had to wait in line long for the cheesy pepperoni pizza. Most people had opted for the salad bar the school provided or brought their own. That had been the first moment she'd noticed them. The girl she'd spoken with in line about them said the brother was a junior and that Gwen was a sophomore, like Bailey herself.

His name was Damien, Gwen's brother. Short blackish brown hair, green eyes, sexy lips, a laid back attitude with a smug look on his beautiful rugged face... Bailey shook her head, averting her gaze to keep from staring. He was so gorgeous he made her stomach turn with butterflies.

It would be safe to not have a crush on someone at school, she reasoned.

It's not like she'd be able to go up to the guy, so it would always just be a far away crush anyway. Not that it was, a crush that is, she could just appreciate beauty. Bailey had spared him one more glance, trying to ignore the pang in her chest, and then returned her gaze to Gwen.

Bailey never cared about being popular, but in that moment she wanted to sit with Gwen. To be her best friend in the world, to date her brother even and have Gwen be okay with it. Knowing it wasn't possible, she still managed to talk herself into walking by. That wouldn't hurt anyone.

It was then she noticed the open doors that led outside, a little too late. Doors that were right next to where Gwen and her group sat. Just as she was almost past them, Bailey felt the wind ruffling her already short skirt.

Her humiliating moment of doom followed. She felt it fly completely up and she instantly dropped her tray, grabbing her skirt to pull it down. Most people wouldn't have responded by throwing said tray to the ground, but Bailey, unfortunately, wasn't most people.

Gwen had been almost directly in front of her when it happened and Bailey had opened her grape juice in line to steal a drink. The delicious dark purple juice was now no longer in the bottle, but splattered all over the popular, and beautiful, Gwendolyn Atherton. And she was pissed.

"Your shirt," Bailey gasped, her hands going to cover her mouth.

"My shirt? What do you mean my shirt? My shoes!" Gwen accused pointing at her feet, her face turning so red Bailey feared for the girl's health.

She shook her head in disbelief at what had happened. "I-I'm so sorry!" She stuttered.

"These are Stuart Weizman's Cinderella shoes," Gwen said, clearly trying to calm herself over the situation. "I just got them. They don't even come out until the 26th."

Bailey felt a sickening dread filling her stomach. "I'm so sorry. I'm sure Stuart will understand, maybe I could talk to him and explain? I think I got more on your shirt than your shoes though. Doesn't Seltzer water do something about stains? Do they have that here? I really am sorry."

The entire table suddenly went eerily quite and Bailey frowned as they all stared at her like she was from another planet. She turned back to Gwen only to see the girl had cocked a black eyebrow at her.

Oh God. What did she say?

Somebody shoot her now! Where was Sherriff Lambert when she needed him? Oh wait, the lunatic didn't even bother to keep a loaded gun on him.

"Are you serious?" Gwen asked, appearing genuinely baffled.

Bailey nervously nibbled her lip, averting her gaze to the purple drops of juice that littered the floor and her shoes. "Yes, I didn't mean to do it. I'm so sorry. That stupid door was open and Mrs. Stones' daughter must've been ten!"

'Cause clearly that made sense. Bailey cringed inwardly. Things would never change, who'd she been kidding? She would remain a friendless freak and it was safer that way really.

Loud laughter boomed through the air and Bailey looked up startled, only to see Gwen's brother laughing so hard he was clutching his sides. It wasn't a simple chuckle, but a gasping for breath laugh that shook his entire body.

Gwen was laughing too, that same soul shaking laugh and as she watched, all Bailey could think was that she'd done it now. She'd always hoped she'd die peacefully in her sleep as an old little lady, not at the hand of a group of rich kids.

"I'm sorry." Bailey mumbled and turned to leave. Humiliation was the worst.

"Hey, what other services do you provide?"

Bailey paused and turned to look at another black haired guy with matching stubble and green eyes. The beautiful black girl next to him raised an eyebrow, waiting for Bailey to answer. With her beautiful milk chocolate colored skin, matching eyes and long flat ironed black hair she could easily be on the cover of a magazine. Their beauty suited each other. Hopefully they weren't as mean as they were beautiful.

"What?"

He chuckled and gave her a once over. "The back of your underwear said 'sarcasm was just one of the few services you offered.' I'm curious as to what the others are."

She held in her gasp of horror as he'd confirmed a fear that had caused the whole incident to begin with. The entire table snickered. They'd all seen. Her short shaped underwear with the saying had just been a joke from her mother, but Bailey still wore them because it wasn't like anyone would see.

Bailey couldn't even bring herself to roll her eyes, she was too humiliated. This was just another reason why she stayed away from people, why she tried to anyway. She'd do something stupid, they'd be cruel.

Her jaw clenched and she swiftly exited the cafeteria, ignoring the red-haired girl who'd also, unintentionally, caused the problem to begin with. Bailey had been wrong about the change being good. When was change ever good?

The rest of the day she'd tried to keep to herself, but it turned out the second half of her classes she shared with Gwen. Bailey, for each class, migrated to a seat in the corner and kept her eyes cast down, praying for the end of the day, wondering when Gwen would want to retaliate. Luckily, the last bell came swiftly, and as she gathered her books, for the first time that day, she failed to notice Gwen walking up to her.

"It's Bailey, right?"

Her stomach dropped as she turned slowly. The familiar sound of Gwen's voice was like flowing honey. And hot sauce being poured down Bailey's throat. She was so dead, she could feel it in her bones. Gwen was going to execute her there.

Gwen stared at Bailey curiously for a moment before speaking. "Hey don't worry about the shoes. It's not like I can't afford it." Gwen paused, offering a small smile. "You know, I've been trying to get your attention all day. Every time I see you, you're looking at the ground! I'm sorry about what happened in the cafeteria today."

Bailey's eyes widened and she glanced up, shock vibrating through her body. "You're sorry? You didn't spill grape juice on me."

Gwen's full red lips smiled pleasantly and she nodded. "True, but I wasn't apologizing for that. I was saying sorry for Grayson and what he shouted across the cafeteria."

So the sexy guy that had asked what other services she'd provide was Grayson. "What a stupid jerk."

And pervert!

"Wow, I don't think I've ever heard anyone call Grayson Norwood a 'stupid jerk'." Gwen chuckled.

Ah crap.

"I didn't mean to say that out loud." Bailey confessed.

Gwen smirked. "I figured. How's your first day been? Well, other than the obvious."

It must've been rhetorical because Gwen didn't wait for her answer. Bailey yelped as Gwen captured her arm, tucking it beneath her own and leading her in the direction towards her locker. When Gwen stopped directly in front of it, Bailey couldn't help but wonder how this girl knew where her locker was.

"We don't get new students often and I saw you by your locker after sixth period."

 "The popular people at my high school were kind of horrible." Bailey informed her. It was off topic, but she couldn't resist. "You are popular, aren't you?"

 Next time she'd bring a sock and put it in her mouth. If that didn't keep her from talking then she deserved to die an early death.

The corner of Gwen's mouth rose in a half smile. "Some aren't horrible. I'd like to think the popular people at this school are in the decent category. Even Raj and Harper have their random moments of kindness, but mostly they're the vapid and shallow lot of the school. I'll point them out to you tomorrow so you can steer clear. They usually have dance right after school so we won't see them now."

After a quick goodbye, that had concluded the first of a not so horrible school day, Bailey headed home. Apparently the Atherton's were the wealthiest family in town, billionaires she'd been told once she'd gotten home to see Mrs. Stone and her mother chatting.

When Gwen called after seven to talk, Bailey had felt pride swell inside her. It had been a long time since anyone had called her, other than Amanda. Normally, Bailey wouldn't have known what to say. Honestly, she'd expected awkward silences, but they'd talked for hours. About people Gwen would introduce her to at school, about the boys Bailey needed to either stay away from or plan on asking out, of the party that would be happening at the end of the week, and would Bailey be coming? She didn't have the heart to tell Gwen she'd be that girl, the one with her head phones on and a book in her lap at the party. She did after all want to try and reinvent herself as Gale had called it, but participating in a party was too much.

Bailey wasn't friend or social material, not because she was cruel, though she could get mean, but she'd always had trouble trusting people even before the situation with her dad. She wouldn't let people in and she felt safe that way. It was the better way to avoid being hurt. Maybe it was worth the risk and maybe it wasn't. Regardless, Bailey felt the need to try at least one more time. It had to be because of the energy Gwen gave off. Gwen made her want to try.

The distance melody of a song by Lady Antebellum was playing from the television in Gale's room.  "Hello world," Bailey whispered, clutching the phone to her ear as she flopped down onto her bed.

"What?" Gwen's voice carried over the phone.

"I have a feeling we're going to be extremely good friends, Gwen."

Gwen's muffled snort made Bailey chuckle.

"Well, duh."