Cafeteria Gossip

Vivi exited the classroom confused. What was that? she thought as she headed to her next period.

As the bell rang for lunchtime, Vivi found herself thinking about him again. He’s a Hartley, get a grip, Vivi, she scolded herself, but the image of his handsome face, paired with Alyssa’s glowing review, refused to leave her mind.

“Thinking about Blake?” a voice teased behind her. When Vivi turned, she saw her best friend’s familiar smile.

“No, just thinking about some news my father shared with me,” Vivi said. It wasn’t completely a lie — the news about her cousin’s soon arrival had been taking up a big chunk of her mind.

“Really?” Alyssa said. “What is it?”

“My cousin is coming,” Vivi shared as they began walking toward the cafeteria.

“Amelia?!” Alyssa exclaimed excitedly, having met her a few times during the younger girl’s visits to Resin Grove.

“Exactly,” Vivi replied with a glint in her eyes.

“That is so cool,” Alyssa gushed. “When is she coming? How long is she staying?”

Vivi chuckled at the blonde’s enthusiasm. “She’s coming this Wednesday, and from the sound of it, she’s moving here.”

They stopped chatting as they entered the cafeteria, the buzz and chatter of classmates surrounding them.

The two best friends walked over to the table where the rest of the cheerleaders and Delilah were already talking.

“Hey, girls,” Anabelle said in her southern accent as the duo sat in their usual seats.

“Alyssa,” Sara called, “where did you go during the party? Did you leave with someone?” she teased. From her tone, it was clear she already knew. “Last we saw you, you were dancing pretty animatedly with Blake and the volleyball captain.”

“You know what? I did leave with a certain someone,” Alyssa said with a glint in her eyes. She was going to have some fun. “And that certain someone handled me and Riley perfectly. I saw stars.” The mere memory sent a shiver down her spine.

“That good?” Dee said.

“You wouldn’t believe it,” Alyssa said, as Vivi rolled her eyes.

“Wow, Alyssa Carrington has been impressed? I wonder who it was?” Dani teased, though she already knew.

“Yeah, who was it?” Dee asked out of curiosity — she hadn’t made it to the party.

“It was Hartley,” Vivi answered somberly before her best friend could respond.

“Blake, you said?” Dee wondered. “Didn’t take him for someone who could pull that off,” she said, surprised.

“Anyway,” Sara interrupted, “Dani and I also got fucked silly at the party.”

“By who?” Anabelle couldn’t resist asking, even though she usually didn’t take part in these conversations.

Dani and Sara exchanged a look. “By Jax Monroe,” they said simultaneously.

“That guy’s a player,” Vivi scoffed.

“But he’s good,” Dani defended herself.

“That, I don’t know,” Alyssa said, “but what I _do _know is that Vivi has some news to share.”

At that last announcement, everyone at the table looked expectantly at Vivi, who just stared at her best friend with an are you serious? expression.

She sighed. “Alright,” she started. “My cousin, Amelia Hathaway — technically third cousin — from the Michigan branch is moving here this Wednesday.”

“Amelia?” Delilah asked, remembering meeting her at a summer party a few years back when the redhead was visiting. “Is she seventeen or eighteen now?”

“She’s eighteen, but she’s a junior,” Vivi confirmed. “I’ll try my best to get her into the cheer squad,” she added.

At that bit of news, everyone at the table started celebrating and pestering Vivi with questions.

Not far off, another redhead was sharing the same piece of news.

Camille Ashbourne had just sat down with her best friend, Jaqueline “Jackie” Flynn, at her usual table with Ivy Hammond, Lena Woodsen, and Sophia Carrington — though her friends called her “Sophie.”

“Guess what,” Camille smirked. “My cousin is coming from Michigan this Wednesday.”

“Really?” Sophie said. “Is it Amelia?” she asked. Being Alyssa’s younger sister, she’d spent a lot of time at Ashbourne Manor, since she was also friends with the younger Ashbourne sister. It was no surprise she knew who it was.

“Yes, it is,” Jaqueline said, having already heard the news before lunch. “Though technically they’re third cousins,” she corrected, as Camille just rolled her eyes.

Earlier that same lunch period, Blake was one of the first out the door when the bell rang. He met Ethan and Nick at his locker, where they were waiting for him.

“So,” Ethan asked tentatively after sharing a look with Nick, “mind telling us what that was with Alyssa?”

“Nothing. She’s just like that. She flirts with everyone,” Blake told them.

“That wasn’t flirting, that was a review,” Nick said. “And by the looks of it, it was a five-star review. Did you fuck her?”

Blake would’ve choked on his own spit if he didn’t know Nick since childhood.

“Ummm… maaaybe?” Blake answered as they started walking toward the cafeteria. “But I’m not one to kiss and tell.”

“Don’t worry, we know that,” Ethan said, clapping his shoulder. “You lucky bastard. She’s picky. I’m guessing it was good.”

When they reached the cafeteria, they headed toward their usual table. As they passed the sophomore table, Lena called out to Ethan.

“Hey, Ethan, guess what?” she said. “Vivi’s cousin is moving here this Wednesday.”

“What cousin?” Ethan asked.

“Her name’s Amelia, she’s from the Michigan branch, the Hathaways,” Lena explained. “She’s a junior, but she’s already eighteen.”

As they continued walking, Nick groaned.

“First my cousin bangs a cheerleader, and now we’ll have another Ashbourne? My head hurts. This is too much news for one day.”

“I wonder how she looks,” Ethan said. He wasn’t one to talk about girls, except around his closest friends.

“From what I remember, she’s Arthur Hathaway’s daughter, so that’d make her…” Blake paused to think. “Vivi’s third cousin. Amelia’s mother is best friends with Vivi’s. Vivi’s father met her through Arthur.”

“Wow, Blake, I knew you researched the Ashbourne family, but I didn’t know you went that far,” Nick said, surprised.

“It’s always good to know your rivals’ history and family,” Blake said, smirking as he sat down in his usual spot with the basketball team.

“Why are we talking about the Ashbournes?” Riley asked from his left.

“Not sitting with the volleyball team?” Blake asked.

“No, they all have lunch next period,” Riley responded. “Now answer my question.”

“We were talking about Vivi’s extended family, because Amelia Hathaway, her third cousin from Michigan, is moving here this Wednesday,” Blake said.

“Another Ashbourne?” Levi groaned. “We already have three too many.”

“My sister told me the few times they’ve met, Amelia’s been really nice,” Ethan said.

“That’s to you, Woodsen,” Blake replied. “Everybody likes your family. I’m a Hartley.”

“Don’t worry, we’ve got two days to mentally prepare,” Riley said. “Plus, maybe she doesn’t care about the family drama.”

“Let’s just hope,” Nick said.

With that, Blake and his friends started talking about basketball practice, the upcoming game, and random teenage stuff. By the time the bell rang, nobody was done talking, but they had to get back to class. They stood and split off in small groups, still chatting as they went.