Once Upon A Nightmare

   I was beautiful, rich and popular, the queen bee in fact. The key word being was. My name is Tara Valincia; I inherited my beauty from my mother, Victoria: chestnut hair and brown eyes with an Asian skin tone. Richard Valincia, my father is a big time business owner, from where come my riches. My life ended about a week ago, my social life anyway. I got braces! So welcome to my nightmare from which I fear I will never awaken.
   I look at my self in the girls' washroom of Riverview High. I really do hate these braces, but Mom says they're for the best. Just outside the washroom is my social studies classroom, my first class of the day. As I walk in I hear snickering to my right, I turn away trying to hide my face. My seat is at the back of the classroom, on my own. It use to be beside my ex-best friend, Kylie, but after she shunned my Brenda has been sitting beside her.
   I think I better explain to you the hierarchy of Grade 8 girls. On top is Kylie seconded by her right hand girl, Brenda. After come the followers, girls who want to be popular but have a little ways to go. Anyone can be a follower except girls deemed geeks, like me. Within the followers everyone has an order which they sit in during their classes. If someone moves up or down the hierarchy everyone else moves accordingly. It's like a big game of four square. I have achieved the lowest possible seat and will stay there until I get my braces off unless a miracle happens.
   Socials is an awful bore. Today we started a section on Chinese dynasties and I almost started to snore, figuratively speaking or course. Ensuing the bell, I rush to my locker to grab my binder for English class. I try avoid any familiar faces but its truly inevitable. Brenda has spotted me and is pushing her way through the river of high school students. There is no sense running, she'll just rub it in my face latter. "Trying to avoid a good-morning greeting are we," taunts Brenda
   "Only trying to spare you some time," I reply submissively, but this doesn't exactly have the desired effect.
   "The geeky life is starting to take its toll on you I see," continues Brenda. "I wouldn't be so popular but for your downfall, so I guess I have to thank you for that, not."
   Just then I noticed that Kylie was no where in sight. The two of them were rarely apart. "Where's your master, did she find a new slave and leave you in the dark?" I snap back trying to get an edge on her.
   "None of your business," spits Brenda and she marches off. Strange.
   Kylie isn't in English either, however she is forgotten when my English teacher gives us a pop quiz on poetry. Lunch is bound to be the worst part of my day. Outside, Brenda and followers are all sitting in a circle eating their lunches and laughing, but still no Kylie.
   I go over and sit down beside Shannon and Sabrina, two outcasts. "Hi Tara, how's life treating you?" they ask me in unison.
   "Horrible!" I respond. Probably not the best answer, though true.
   "Nice smile," mentioned Sabrina sarcastically, as she and Shannon stood up to leave. "Geek!"
   They walked away, giving me the cold shoulder. I definitely should have seen that one coming; I was the one who made them outcasts.
   Life has officially hit rock bottom. The bell goes, saving me from any further humiliation. My last two classes are just as boring as my first two. At least one good thing is coming you of my "position", my grades are rising because I'm not spending any time giggling or socializing during class. Always think positive, isn't that what people say. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.
   My miracle has happened! Yesterday, as I was walking home from school I saw Kylie through her kitchen window. She has braces too! She must have left for the dentist after first block, so that's why she wasn't at school.
   As I walk into my English classroom I can see Kylie sitting in my old seat and my new seat beside a girl I have yet to meet. "Hi Tara, my name is Melodie." introduced the girl.
   "How do you know my name if I don't know yours?" I ask her.
   "Because your popular, remember." Melodie answers
   "Was popular," I correct.
   "No, you still are, you just have to make everyone else believe it."
   This is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, I hope. English goes by quickly. Melodie also is in my French class, my next block of the day.
   "Are you actually going to let Kylie, the best friend you ever had, drown in her own misery?" prompted Melodie.
   "Well she never helped me," I retorted, but I know she's right. "I'll talk to her during lunchtime." I assure Melodie.
   "Why don't you and Kylie join me for lunch with my friends." suggests Melodie.
   "Who are your friends?"
   "The so called popular girls, I'm sure they won't mind. Only Brenda will, but that's her problem."
   It turns out French is Melodie's worst subject and my best so I helped her keep up in class. After class Kylie slips out of the classroom, hoping to continue unnoticed just like I would have only a day ago. I rush after her. "Kylie, wait up!" I call after her.
   She stops and turns slowly, expecting the worst. "Kylie, do you want to come with me and Melodie to sit with the popular girls for lunch?" I question.
   "Tara, you know as well as I do that we cannot sit with Brenda and her followers for lunch." states Kylie with a slight lisp.
   "We can try!" I return, making it sound more like a command than a response.
   Melodie is right! No one seems to mind us coming to sit with them. In fact, they all make room hoping we'll sit beside them. Brenda just ignores us. Maybe I'm still popular after all. At this point I don't even care if I'm popular or not, as long as I have friends to be with. No, I do care if I'm popular. I will begin my ascent back to queen bee and I will take Melodie and Kylie with me.