(This takes place the day before the opening thread, this is also thread 225 for this story that I've written.)
Sydney hugged her books to her chest as she walked through the halls of Hope High School. Alone as usual she made her way to her locker. To say she lacked self confidence would be mostly an understatement. In social situations she was mostly useless, freezing when talked to. In Academic situations, however, she excelled. When it was a subject she knew and loved she'd blossom...if only a bit.
She had lucked out a bit this year, her senior year. She was assigned a locker between Courtney Jones, and her BFF Bridgett. Well...mainly Courtney who she could talk to about a great many subjects ranging from Quantum Physics (which Sydney was actually better at) to Advanced Biology (Which Courtney was obsessed about). She liked Bridgett because she always had a smile for Sydney.
"Hey Sydney baby, what's shaking?" Bridge asked as she looked at Sydney.
Sydney, overcome for a moment blushed and shrugged.
Bridgett giggled a bit, "You know, I'm accused of not thinking before I speak. But you, you really need to get out there and just talk every now and then."
Sydney blushed harder. She knew that. She really did...it was just her voice seized up. She put her books into her locker as she heard Bridge sigh good naturedly, then felt her put her hand on her back, "Seriously Sydney...I will break you out of that shell. Or...or at least crack it a bit. If you suddenly became a chatterbox I think it'd put people into palpitations. Or...something like that."
"SYDNEY!" A voice rang out.
Sydney jumped and spun at the voice, and watched as Teri skipped up in her Cheerleaders outfit, a graded folder in her hand, "OH MY GOD! You DID it! With your help I was able to get a B on the Math assignment! I could KISS you!"
Sydney blushed harder, "No...th-that's alright."
"Just an expression." Teri said with a wink. "Hey Bridge!" With a flourish she displayed the folder with the big red B on it, "I got a B on my Math assignment!"
"I think the whole school heard, Teri. Congrats! Rumor is, it's all because of Sydney helping you. You should kiss her!" Bridgett said, her voice full of mirth, which broke into a full laugh as Sydney went the reddest she'd ever been while shaking her head, her throat seizing up any chance of a response. Bridgett threw an arm around Sydney and hugged the small girl to her side, "I'm kidding. Anyway, have to head off to class." Bridgett said, then closed her locker and headed off.
"Gotta love Bridgett. Anyhow, now it's time for me to pay you, so here is what is happening. No arguments. Okay? You are sleeping over my house tonight, so I can give you a makeover. Then tomorrow we're going to go to Carla's party. Don't worry though, I'll look after you..."
"B-But...I'm not invited..."
"Everybody is invited. Girl, you have to have *some* fun at some point. And it was the agreed upon price. You believed in me when I was going to tear my hair out over this assignment. And I believe you can have fun. Don't worry, if there's thing happening that are too fast for you at the party, then we can leave... but...you have to go. Please."
Her nerves wracked her, but amazingly her voice didn't give out, "Okay, fine. But I can't promise to have fun."
"Epic! Meet me in the parking lot after school, we'll stop by your house for sanitary supplies then we'll head to my place." Teri said with a smile on her face, then took a step towards Sydney. Before Sydney could protest she was enveloped in an almost overly exuberant hug from the athletic cheerleader. |