aside on the floor. Just so we’re clear, Caroline does not know, and will never know of this incident.
And yes most of these girls have been to my house, I’ve heard them giggling and bitching through the thin walls that separate my bedroom from Angelina’s. But that doesn’t serve as any basis for the friendships they have deluded themselves into thinking they share with me. These girls don’t want to fold me into their group because they actually like me. They want me because of Grant.
Michelle leans over and smiles. “So Sydney, the girls and I are heading into the city for mani’s and pedi’s after practice. You should come. It’ll be a blast.” She looks at Caroline. “You can come too.”
“Actually I have some stuff to do tonight,” I mimic Michelle’s sweet smile. “But thanks.”
“No problem,” she flips out her hair. “Another time.”
Caroline shoots me a seething look that screams: “What are you doing?” I shrug an apology.
“So Sydney,” Sara Fille grins from across the table. “How long have you and Grant been seeing each other?”
And here it comes. I’m mildly surprised – besides Mr. Hughes, no one has had the guts to out right mention Grant to me all day.
Caroline’s eyes are telling me to lie. But I’m sure, due to the fact her right thigh is currently grazing Liam’s left thigh, she’s not thinking clearly.
“The thing is, we’re not actually together, me and Grant. It was just a kiss.”
The girls laugh. Michelle shakes her head.
“I’m serious. It was a one off thing. I don’t even know him.”
A few of the girls blink, but Michelle just shrugs and her voice goes all sing-songy. “Sure, whatever you say.”
“It was just a kiss.” I repeat.
“In front of dozens of reporters?” Michelle laughs. “Come on Sydney, we’re not stupid and neither is Grant. He wouldn’t attach himself to anyone publicly unless he was totally into her. Besides, People wouldn’t write about you and Grant it if it weren’t true.”
I attempt once more to argue, but they laugh it off. They’re never going to believe me. The realization sits cold and heavy in my stomach. My life is being taken over by a lie…and cheerleaders.
“I mean,” Michelle continues, “look at Grant and Summer Stone. They were together for months before anyone knew they were dating. And he told Ellen the only reason they came out was because he was in love with her...”
“Summer Stone? He was with her?” I whisper. Michelle looks at me like I’m losing it and Caroline frowns at me from across the table. But I don’t care, because suddenly things are starting to make a lot more sense.
I stand up and nod at Caroline to do the same. She looks devastated by the idea, but dutifully follows. As we’re heading away from the table Michelle calls. “By the way I love your...shirt. It’s so...purple! Call me.”
“How could you not tell me about Summer and Grant?” I whisper-yell at Caroline as I pull her down the first floor hall behind me.
“I thought you knew,” she shrugged. “I mean I think everyone on the planet knew. They were together for over a year!”
I turn and face her. “You’re talking to the girl that didn’t even recognize Grant West while his face was planted against hers.”
“Right. Fine. But why is this such a big deal? Why do you care? Are you jealous? Do you actually like him?” Her face pulsates with giddiness.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t you see it?”
She shrugs at me.
“Summer was there. We walked out of the restaurant and she climbed out of a limo with some soap actor, who she was all over by the way.”
“Okay?”
“Think about it. Grant had no interest in me up until that point. I was just some girl he was talking to. Then suddenly he sees Summer with that guy, and he’s all over me? I don’t know what the point was –maybe to make her jealous – I don’t care, but don’t you see? He didn’t kiss me because he liked me, he used me! That
And yes most of these girls have been to my house, I’ve heard them giggling and bitching through the thin walls that separate my bedroom from Angelina’s. But that doesn’t serve as any basis for the friendships they have deluded themselves into thinking they share with me. These girls don’t want to fold me into their group because they actually like me. They want me because of Grant.
Michelle leans over and smiles. “So Sydney, the girls and I are heading into the city for mani’s and pedi’s after practice. You should come. It’ll be a blast.” She looks at Caroline. “You can come too.”
“Actually I have some stuff to do tonight,” I mimic Michelle’s sweet smile. “But thanks.”
“No problem,” she flips out her hair. “Another time.”
Caroline shoots me a seething look that screams: “What are you doing?” I shrug an apology.
“So Sydney,” Sara Fille grins from across the table. “How long have you and Grant been seeing each other?”
And here it comes. I’m mildly surprised – besides Mr. Hughes, no one has had the guts to out right mention Grant to me all day.
Caroline’s eyes are telling me to lie. But I’m sure, due to the fact her right thigh is currently grazing Liam’s left thigh, she’s not thinking clearly.
“The thing is, we’re not actually together, me and Grant. It was just a kiss.”
The girls laugh. Michelle shakes her head.
“I’m serious. It was a one off thing. I don’t even know him.”
A few of the girls blink, but Michelle just shrugs and her voice goes all sing-songy. “Sure, whatever you say.”
“It was just a kiss.” I repeat.
“In front of dozens of reporters?” Michelle laughs. “Come on Sydney, we’re not stupid and neither is Grant. He wouldn’t attach himself to anyone publicly unless he was totally into her. Besides, People wouldn’t write about you and Grant it if it weren’t true.”
I attempt once more to argue, but they laugh it off. They’re never going to believe me. The realization sits cold and heavy in my stomach. My life is being taken over by a lie…and cheerleaders.
“I mean,” Michelle continues, “look at Grant and Summer Stone. They were together for months before anyone knew they were dating. And he told Ellen the only reason they came out was because he was in love with her...”
“Summer Stone? He was with her?” I whisper. Michelle looks at me like I’m losing it and Caroline frowns at me from across the table. But I don’t care, because suddenly things are starting to make a lot more sense.
I stand up and nod at Caroline to do the same. She looks devastated by the idea, but dutifully follows. As we’re heading away from the table Michelle calls. “By the way I love your...shirt. It’s so...purple! Call me.”
“How could you not tell me about Summer and Grant?” I whisper-yell at Caroline as I pull her down the first floor hall behind me.
“I thought you knew,” she shrugged. “I mean I think everyone on the planet knew. They were together for over a year!”
I turn and face her. “You’re talking to the girl that didn’t even recognize Grant West while his face was planted against hers.”
“Right. Fine. But why is this such a big deal? Why do you care? Are you jealous? Do you actually like him?” Her face pulsates with giddiness.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t you see it?”
She shrugs at me.
“Summer was there. We walked out of the restaurant and she climbed out of a limo with some soap actor, who she was all over by the way.”
“Okay?”
“Think about it. Grant had no interest in me up until that point. I was just some girl he was talking to. Then suddenly he sees Summer with that guy, and he’s all over me? I don’t know what the point was –maybe to make her jealous – I don’t care, but don’t you see? He didn’t kiss me because he liked me, he used me! That
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