Karyn brushed locks of long, blonde hair out of her eyes, trying her best to ignore the girls around her and pretend she was somewhere else. The conversation was entirely beyond her interest: Boys they thought were cute, who was dating who, how could she wear that? She couldn't even pretend to pay attention.
That is, until Sarah gave her a jab with her elbow so hard she was sure the others would see. Then she realized Jessica was talking to her.
"Uh...Earth to Karyn?" Jessica asked, a little annoyed.
"Sorry. I just zoned out for a bit."
"I was asking you, when are you going to join the cheerleading squad?"
Karyn froze. She glanced quickly towards Sarah, but judging by the look on her face she hadn't anticipated this either.
"Um...I..I'll think about it." She forced out quickly.
Apparently this was the wrong thing to say. Anger flashed across Jessica's face.
"Well, better think fast. Try outs are in two days."
Two days? Crap. I've got to fix this soon. Karyn thought.
The conversation quickly turned back to normal, although just before they arrived at the mall, Stacey turned to her.
"Are you ok? You've, like, been acting kinda weird.."
Fortunately she was spared from having to reply when Stephanie informed them that they'd arrived and parked the car.
As they entered the mall, Sarah announced she had to go freshen up, and once again jabbed Karyn with her elbow. Karyn promptly decided that she needed to as well. She didn't know what Sarah wanted to talk to her about, but she didn't think she'd like it.
"I'm not sure what you think's going on here, but you're not exactly being a good friend." Sarah declared as they entered the bathroom.
"What are you talking about? I'm hanging out with you aren't I?"
"That's not enough. They can tell something is up. If you don't change your act fast, they're going to get suspicious. Why are you ignoring them?"
Karyn was beginning to get irritated. "Because they're a bunch of empty headed ditzes?"
Sarah flushed with anger. "Well then you'd better be an empty headed ditz too. Stacey may be an airhead, but even she noticed the way you're acting. If you don't start talking to them and acting normal you're never going to talk to that dweeb boyfriend of yours again."
"Jon would never even talk to you, you bitch!" Karyn nearly yelled, not bothering to correct her on the boyfriend part. This whole thing had been a huge mistake. She was on the verge of leaving when Sarah piped up.
"Care to test that theory? Why would he want you when he could think he has me?"
Karyn forced down her anger, and looked at the floor.
"That's what I thought. Now you're going to stop ignoring them, and talk to them like normal."
"But I don't know anything about gossip!"
"Oh please. Even someone like you has to notice something. Just say whatever you can think of. It doesn't even really have to be true. Exaggerate. And about the cheerleading squad. Tell them you're going to join."
"What? No!" This was the line. Karyn was willing to hang out with them for awhile, even pretend to be their friends, but there was no way she was becoming a cheerleader.
"I don't exactly want you on the squad either, blondey, but they're probably expecting it. You won't even have to try out if you fix this in time."
"Fine. Whatever. Can we get this over with?"
"Not yet. I told them we were going to freshen up. That means make-up." Sarah approached the mirror on the bathroom wall, and taking a compact out of her purse, began to touch up her make-up.
Following suit, Karyn discovered a compact in her own purse, and grimaced in annoyance as she began to apply it to her face. This just keeps getting better and better. She seldom wore make up, and apparently her efforts weren't quite enough for Sarah.
"Haven't you ever done this before? You look horrible. I'm not going to be seen with you like this. Here." Sarah made her wash it off and then reapply it until she was satisfied. It was way too much for Karyn.
God, I look like a slut. She thought, looking in the mirror. With the hair, make-up, tight shirt, and figure, she could almost have been Sarah's sister.
"Alright, now we can go. And remember what I told you." Sarah instructed, walking back to meet the others.
"Are you guys ok? You were in their forever." Asked Stephanie as they walked out.
"Peachy." Responded Sarah. "I think Karyn has something to tell you guys." They looked at her expectantly.
"Well, I thought about it and...I'll definately be trying out for the cheerleading squad!" She said, forcing herself to smile and speak enthusiastically.
As the other girls started squealing shrilly in excitement and hugging her, all she could think about was how she was going to wish this right.
