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Chapter Fourteen
About Reggie Mantle
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     IT WAS LIKE THE WORDS WENT THROUGH ONE EAR AND CAME OUT THE OTHER when Toni was trying to talk to Tori. She had been trying to catch her attention for about five minutes but it seemed to become more hopeless with every passing second. When Toni decided to try and take Tori's mocha iced coffee, that seemed to grab her attention because Tori caught Toni's hand near her drink and smacked her hand away. Toni looked at the smaller girl with an amused smile as she held the cup of iced coffee closer to her and away from everyone else in the cafeteria.

     "I was asking you if you wanted to join the River Vixens next year," Toni said.

     "Um, I'm gonna have to go with no," Tori said before taking a long sip of her iced coffee.

     "Why not? You got the hips and the ass for it," Toni said.

     "Which will also enhance the chances of the female body being sexualized by a bunch of teenage boys and old men who can't keep their hormones in check and then what happens when someone is sexually harassed or assaulted? They blame the victim because it is so much easier to blame the person they hurt instead of knowing that what the perpetrator did was wrong and holding them accountable for their actions. Instead of teaching young kids to avoid becoming victims of sexual violence, they should teach them not to become sex offenders," Tori said.

     "You should run for student body president," Toni said.

     "I shouldn't have to run for student body president for people to realize that by blaming the victim, you are justifying the sex offender's actions and you are supporting and contributing to rape culture," Tori said while rolling her eyes.

     Toni chuckled, "Why haven't we met before?"

     "It's just that I would like to do what I want and wear what I want without guys looking at me like a piece of meat or older women calling me a slut just because you can see my shoulder," Tori said.

     "All the more reason to join the River Vixens. Show everyone that just because you have a great body and like to show it off, doesn't devalue your worth as a woman and a human being. I'll even join the squad with you," Toni said while wrapping her arm around Tori's shoulders.

     Tori smiled as she continued to drink her iced coffee and took the thought into consideration. If she were to join the River Vixens, at least Cheryl and Toni would be there so she would be around people she knew. She liked dancing but never tried out for the cheerleading squad despite Cheryl begging her to just give it a try but she eventually gave up because at the time, Tori was just too uncomfortable with her body and didn't want anyone else to see it. She didn't even like looking at it herself but it took her some time to become comfortable in her own skin and body.

     "Cheryl actually insisted I join the River Vixens in freshman year but gave up because I wasn't comfortable with my body. I thought it wasn't a 'cheerleader's body,'" Tori said while chuckling and rolling her eyes at the thoughts she had in her first year of high school.

     "You were uncomfortable with your body?" Toni asked in awe while looking at the outfit Tori was wearing.

     "I know, right?"

     "I never would've guessed!"

     Both of them laughed at the topic of Tori being uncomfortable with her body. Tori slurped up the rest of her iced coffee and tossed it into a nearby trash can as she grabbed her stuff.

     "Maybe, just maybe, I will consider joining the River Vixens," Tori said as she and Toni started walking out of the cafeteria.

     Toni threw her arm around Tori's shoulders as they walked inside and towards Tori's locker where Cheryl was waiting.

     "There you guys are, I've been waiting for you two forever," Cheryl said while looking at them in disappointment.

     "You texted me to meet you back here two minutes ago. You'll live," Tori chuckled as she opened her locker. "I see you two are getting along alright."

     "Turns out Tee Tee over here isn't such horrible company afterall," Cheryl said while smiling at the pink haired Serpent. "I now understand why you like hanging around with her and now I need you guys to tell me about everything you usually do together."

     "I sometimes get some Hot Cheetos for Tori and sometimes I will toss one for her to catch with her mouth," Toni said while laughing.

     "I have a two hundred and fifteen Hot Cheeto streak," Tori said triumphantly as she pat Toni on the back.

     "Those are the red ones, right?" Cheryl asked.

     "Yes, Cheryl. The red bags you often saw me pick up at the convenience store were Flaming Hot Cheetos," Tori said.

     "How do you eat so many carbs and still look like a model?"

     "I have a balance in my life that I've been able to maintain for about two years now."

     The three of them arrived at the student lounge and the other Serpents stiffened in their spots when they saw Cheryl walk in with Toni and Tori. MF was the first to speak up and protest against the Blossom girl's presence.

     "What the fuck is that Satanic Cherry doing here?" she asked while glaring right at Cheryl.

     "I'm a student here just as much as you are. Actually, I'm more of a student at this school than you, low life snake," Cheryl sneered at the brunette Serpent.

     MF stepped closer to Cheryl but Tori quickly intervened and stood between them. MF glared at Tori who was shielding Cheryl as best as she could from the Serpent in front of her.

     "She didn't mean it," Tori said quickly.

     "Yes, I─" Cheryl was cut off by Tori before she could finish protesting against her words.

     "She didn't have her vanilla almond milk latte this morning or at lunch, so she's a little on edge," Tori said, hoping to calm down the two before they had a repeat of last time when they apparently had a fight.

     "What are you─"

     Before Cheryl could question what Tori was doing, she was already cut off for the second time that day.

     "Sweet Pea, I'll see you soon in chemistry. I'll see you guys around," she said to MF, Toni and Fangs as she slowly pushed Cheryl out of the student lounge. When the both of them were far enough from the student lounge, Tori looked at Cheryl who had her arms crossed and said, "Be honest, Cheryl. Did you have a fight with MF Jones and get her suspended?"

     "Yes, I had a fight with that disgusting reptile," Cheryl said while rolling her eyes.

     "How long was she suspended for?" Tori asked slowly and carefully.

     Cheryl shrugged her shoulders with a bored look on her face as she said, "Two weeks."

     "You got MF Jones suspended for two weeks and never bothered to tell me? I've been wondering for days why you two always gave each other death glares every time you walked past each other but I just assumed it was your usual hatred towards the Southsiders and Serpents," Tori said.

     "I didn't think it was important for you to know."

     "Not important to know? My best friend getting in a fight with someone who is friends with my other friends and getting her suspended is not important for me to know?"

      "Why are you so pissed about this?" Cheryl asked while narrowing her eyes at Tori.

      "You always insist that I tell you every single thing I'm seeing, hearing or thinking but you can't tell me 'hey, I got in a fight with a random Serpent and got her suspended for two whole weeks.' Really, Cheryl? I can't believe I have to explain this to you, like you always expect me to," Tori said. "From this point on, I don't have to tell you anything since you can't tell me jack shit!"

     "Fine! I don't want to hear about your Serpent friends anyway!"

     "Fine! You don't have to!"

     Tori turned away from Cheryl and started heading to the science hall where her chemistry class was. She walked into the classroom and sat in her usual spot and no longer after she did, Sweet Pea came in and sat right next to her.

     "What happened back there?" he asked.

     "It's just Cheryl being Cheryl and I'm really sorry about that," Tori said while rubbing her eyes.

     "Do you always apologize for what Cheryl says and does?" Sweet Pea asked.

     "Yes I do, because I know she won't apologize because she's stubborn that way so I do it for her," Tori said.

     "You shouldn't have to be the one to apologize for Cheryl."

     "Why shouldn't I? Yes, she is my best friend and she was my only friend up until I met you guys but I always find myself apologizing for the way she treats other people, especially you guys. I mean, she got in a fight with MF, your friend, and walked out freely while MF got suspended for two weeks when Cheryl is just as guilty if not more."

     "You had nothing to do with what happened between Cheryl and MF so you are not obligated to apologize for it."

     "Easy for you to say," Tori said as she let her head drop onto the surface of the lab bench with a loud thud.

     Sweet Pea chuckled lightly but stopped when their chemistry teacher stood right in front of them and he did not look impressed. But then again, no one ever saw him smile unless he was scolding a student or giving them detention.

     "I apologize if I'm boring you, Miss Alvarez," he said.

     Tori quickly sat up straight and her spine stiffened when she heard her chemistry teacher's voice.

     "I'm sorry, Mr. Harris, I─"

     "If I hear one more word from you throughout the rest of the class, I will not hesitate to give you a three-week after school detention," Mr. Harris said. "Do I make myself clear?"

     "Yes, sir," Tori said meekly as she swallowed the growing lump in her throat.

     Mr. Harris walked back to the front and Sweet Pea looked at Tori who had her fists clenched on top of the lab bench. She didn't say another word for the rest of the class and she didn't even raise her hand to answer a question. She didn't even look at Sweet Pea, not wanting to see the mocking grin on his face that she got called out by a teacher who seemed to really hate her.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

     "ARE YOU OKAY?" SWEET PEA ASKED WHEN HE CAUGHT UP TO TORI OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL.

     "I'm fine," Tori said while smiling.

     "Usually when someone says they're fine, it means they're not."

     "It also means they don't wanna talk about it."

      Sweet Pea nodded shortly as they sat on the steps in front of the main entrance to the school. Tori held her messenger bag in her lap and avoided the male Serpent's eyes and her hair falling to the sides of her face made it easier to do so.

     "Are you waiting for someone?" Sweet Pea asked.

     "My mom is coming to pick me up today. Remember you met her when we protested on Pickens Day?"

     "How can I forget? She seems really nice," Sweet Pea said.

     "She actually thought me and Fangs had a thing going on," Tori said while chuckling at the memory of her mother teasing her about Fangs.

     "You and Fangs?" Sweet Pea asked.

     Instead of laughing at the idea like Tori did, he clenched his fists as the image came into his head. Why did the thought annoy him so much? Tori and Fangs just happened to be friends and so were they. Sweet Pea had no reason to be upset at Tori's mother for assuming Tori and Fangs had a thing going on.

     "As funny as it sounded, it's just not going to happen. Fangs is a great friend and all but that's it," Tori said while shrugging her shoulders.

     Sweet Pea's fists loosened and were no longer clenched and he relaxed. He had no reason to get so worked up about it. Besides, he and MF still had their own little thing going on although there were no strings attached.

     "Would you ever date anyone?" Sweet Pea just couldn't help but ask.

     "Maybe at some point but just not right now. Last time I dated someone it was a disaster and it's been months since it happened," Tori said while looking down at her knees.

     "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what happened?" Sweet Pea asked, genuinely curious.

     "It's a long story."

     "I got time."

     "I never told anyone else this besides Cheryl and my mom so you have to promise you won't go berserk and hate me for it," Tori said.

     "I promise I won't go berserk and hate you for whatever it is you're about to tell me. Cross my heart, hope to die," Sweet Pea said while drawing an X over his chest.

     "Me and Reggie used to date," Tori said quickly and hung her head, not wanting to look at Sweet Pea's face when she said it.

     "You and Reggie Mantle?" Sweet Pea asked.

     "Yes, but it ended two months ago because he dumped me. He was nice and all that in the beginning but then he ignored me and my existence until he wanted something. He could hang around whoever he wanted and didn't have to tell me anything but if I went to Pop's with Cheryl, it would be a new text every five minutes asking me where I was and what I was doing. He always complained about how I dressed and he claimed that was his reason for breaking up with me. But the real reason was because a week before that, he found out my mom was a retired Serpent and even though I wasn't exactly a Serpent, he felt that dating a retired Serpent's daughter is the same as dating a Serpent directly. The whole 'relationship,' if you can even call it that, surprisingly lasted for five months. That's what I get for being so naïve," Tori sighed when she finished telling the story. Before Sweet Pea could say anything about Tori's story, there was a loud honking in a car that pulled up on the curb and Tori recognized her mother in the car. "My mom's here. I'll see you tomorrow."

     Tori slipped the strap of her bag over her shoulder and headed towards her mother's car where she was waiting. When Tori was inside the car and had her seatbelt on, her mother looked out the window and saw Sweet Pea who stood up and started walking away.

     "That wasn't Fangs, was it? Because I remember him being a little shorter than that," her mother said as she stepped on the gas.

     "Mom, no. That wasn't Fangs, that was Sweet Pea," Tori said.

     "Your friends have some weird names," Selena said while laughing.

     "You have like ten names in your full name!"

     "No, I have four. Your abuelita was kind enough to not curse me with those long ass names like some other Latinos I've met."

     "Is that why you gave me four names?"

     "Yes, that is exactly why."

     Tori leaned her head against the window of the car as her mother drove them home in silence. She put her headphones on and closed her eyes as she let the music drown out the outside world.