Saved by the bell

As Maggie and Tanya stand staring at each other, the popular girl with needy desire in her eyes and the emo girl with baffled confusion in her's, the first class bell rings. "Let go of my jacket!" Maggie says giving the jacket a yank. She stumbles backward as Tanya releases the jacket as soon as the command is spoken.

"S-sorry, I was lost in thought," Tanya says trying to control this baffling desire that's dominating her brain. The other drama kids in the room push back the girls.

"Just stand there and listen, okay?" Maggie says and Tanya stays to listen. She doesn't realize it, but the command makes it easier for her to resist the need to kiss Maggie. Maggie takes a deep breath as she confronts Tanya. "I don't know what you're playing at with Kyle, but he's been one of my closest friends for years. This weird change in attitude you're showing for him, I don't buy it for a second. I think you and the Bitch Club are up to something and all of this is a charade." She pokes Tanya in the boob. "If you do anything to mess up the game tomorrow or if you hurt Kyle's feelings in any way, I will make you regret it until your last day of school."

A dozen catty retorts run through Tanya's brain but all she can do is stand and listen. Why is she letting this twerp who she wants to kiss so badly talk to her like this?

"Nothing to say?" Maggie asks noticing Tanya's unusual silence. "Fine. I've said my piece. Basically, don't be a bitch tomorrow. Come play the game like it's your favorite thing to do in the world. And just, ugh, just be nice us tomorrow. Prove to me whatever this is it isn't just an act." Maggie sighs. "You know, I used to count you as one of my closest friends once." Maggie looks forlornly at Tanya thinking about what being friends with Tanya was like before school shattered into cliques and popularity contests. Tanya feels those memories rushing back, too, but Maggie chose freakdom over popularity. She tries to say as much, but all she can do is keep listening.

Maggie puts her hands up in frustration. "Cool, I put my heart out there and you give me the silent treatment. Whatever. Typical. We should get to class."

The pale-skinned girl storms off and Tanya feels her body relax. Part of Tanya still wants to tackle her and kiss her. The rational part of her brain, still struggling to make sense of any of these decisions she's making, tells her to get to class before she's counted as late.