% CHAPTER 34 %

I gaze at the girl studiously. She smiles nervously and gives a curt wave. She seems really nice. That's really good. I could use a new friend that's a girl, someone who isn't constantly clinging to me like a leech. Seriously, does Amanda have a life other than me? I'm beginning to doubt it.

"So you're Bret. Taylor says we could make a great team." She gives a smug smile while putting a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"And you're Whitney."

"I prefer Whit."

I nod briefly. "Okay then Whitney." She grumbles in annoyance while I chuckle a bit. "I'm kidding. I'll call you Whit."

"Good!" She looks to have a sense of triumph. I chuckle inwardly at how she behaves towards people she just meets. She's really open to people and doesn't seem to judge quickly. That is so unlike Taylor. I honestly expected Whit to be more like Taylor, a total geek or something or girl that squeals a lot. I heard those two on the phone. I wanted to frickin cover my ears.

"So why did you want to see me exactly? Taylor and I aren't on the best of terms."

Whit shrugs. "I just wanted to see if you really are a dickhead like she says. Taylor tends to overreact."

My eyes widen as I nod vigorously. "Trust me I know. But its all my fault."

"What did you do?"

I sigh and rub my temples. "It's hard to explain. Do you know the situation we're in?"

"With the movie and stuff?"

I immediately cover her mouth. "Keep it down! No one knows about that." An overwhelming sting goes through my hand and I instantly remove my hand, shocked by what she just did. "You bit me!"

She smirks and puts a hand to her hip. "You don't touch me without my approval first Mr. Pimp."

I look at her in confusion. "Huh?"

She then groans. "Oh that's right!! I'm the pimp and you're my bitch! Sorry bout that. I tend to get confuzzled a lot."

"Confuzzled?"

"Taylor's my bitch too don't worry. You are not alone!" She chuckles. I didn't know girls could chuckle like that. This is a real turn of events. Whit has just done a 360 spin on my ass. I did not expect her to be this type of girl. How did her and Taylor meet? Didn't they know each other since they were born? I begin to ponder about it and suddenly come to a realization. This chick...reminds me of Luca! Perfect! I could always use another Luca in my life.

"Whipped Cream! Get your retarded ass over here! Stay away from that guy," someone shouts. It sounds a lot like Taylor. Of course. She is already plotting everyone against me. Great. I'll be a loner. I'll have no friends. Then somehow I'll end up going crazy and I'll be sent to a mental institution and then I'll die of craziness and old age, which in a crack house is like 25. I don't know how I came up with this scenario.

"I'm coming bitch!" She squeals in excitement while Taylor rolls her eyes. I walk over there as well.

"Okay Whit. These are my girl friends: Victoria, Gwen, and Connie. Then the guys are-"

"My friends: Isaac, Aaron, and Jake," I interrupt. Taylor can't introduce my friends. I'm supposed to do that and... it's against the rules. Totally. I'm going insane already. The plan has already been put into action.

"Very well," Whit nods as if everything has already processed in her head. She sort of looks like a dumb blonde though, no offense. She's just standing there with her hands folded neatly into the front of her skirt, which is a little on the short side, and she's rubbing her lips together in a thin line. Her feet are rocking back and forth.

Taylor grins at her best friend, ignoring my rudeness and continues her little speech. "Then of course there are the people you're not to hang out with. Any group is fine except the blondies and brunettes over there." She points to Amanda's little huddled group. "See them? Bret's girlfriend is in there though so its a bit hard, but they're total airheads; they won't catch onto a joke we're saying."

I snort. Amanda is not an airhead. It takes a smart brain-like quality to come up with a flawless plan like she did. No airhead could do that. I just wish Taylor could see it all.

I bet the voice inside my head knew this was going to happen. He's getting back at me for not listening to his advice. I might have just lost my whole opportunity to be with Taylor. It may even be friendship too. Taylor doesn't easily forgive, although this was sort of small. I told her I would break up with my girlfriend. I didn't. That doesn't sound too bad. Unless she developed feelings for me as well. I mean come to think of it, she did look very hurt. If she would have see me as just a friend, she would have gotten over it by now. Nahhh, she can't have feelings for me! We were sort of just an on/off thing. We made out a few times. No biggie. Okay, well I cheated on my girlfriend for her so that makes it a big deal. Ew why am I thinking so hard about this? I feel like a pussy. I'm talking about my feelings so...emotionally. It's not normal. I need to stop.

Just get Taylor back, the voice says. I'll try. I really will try.

$_$_$_$

It turns out the guys hang out with Whit more than the girls do. I can tell why: she's weird, funny, sexy, and doesn't mind the guys perverted jokes (except for that one time it was so hilarious milk came out of her nose at lunch). She really fits into our group. Victoria invited all of us to eat at Wendy's after school, an offer no one can resist, even if they have an evil scheming bitch as a girlfriend. What a poor fellow. That's me by the way.

"See you all at Wendy's!" Whit calls as we head out of the cafeteria.

Taylor makes sure to snatch Whitney's schedule and take a good look.

"Aw man! You have Mr. Omen next. I'm with Mrs. Scott..."

"I have Mr. Omen," I say. "Come with me and I'll find you a good seat where you won't hear a word that boring man is saying!"

Whit seems to like the idea and rushes over to walk with me. In my peripheral vision I can see Taylor strut off fuming. Jeez, it's just a class. It's not like I'm making her go to a KKK meeting or something. She's just so over dramatic today. I understand I betrayed your trust in some way, but...just get over it? Truce? Something? Anything!

"So is your girlfriend in this class?" Whit asks, her interest sprawled all across her face. She's not trying to hide her true intentions. Cool.

I slowly nod my head up and down. "Yeah, what's it to you?"

"Is it the brunette that's staring daggers in my direction or is that merely a coincidence?"

Brunette, staring daggers, sounds very much like Amanda. I look around just to check though. In a few seconds, I spot her. Surprisingly, Whit smacks my arm. I yelp instantaneously, moving my arm away from her.

"Ow!"

"You're not supposed to look dumbass!"

"I was just making sure! And yeah that's her..."

Whit snorts. "You're dating that bitchy piece of shit? I am not impressed."

"Tell me about it." I sigh. I just want to vent out some of my problems to someone. Luca and Glenda aren't available. None of the group at school can know because they think Taylor and I are cousins. They also have no clue that I am starring in a movie, which is sort of important in this case. Whit seems like the perfect person to just let go around.

"Wait, you don't like her? Then why are you dating her?!"

"It's complicated, but I absolutely loathe her. She just makes me want to hurl my guts out every time I see her. I didn't know she was capable of so much evil. Hey why don't you take her seat in Mr. Omen's class? It's right in front of me."

She instantly agrees. "Sounds good to me!"

We get to class and I motion to Amanda's seat. "There you go. That's her seat. Take it please!"

She plops into the chair and brings her feet on the desk. "Pretty comfortable," she mutters.

Wow. I didn't know it would be this easy to get Whit in on this. I guess she helps in every situation she deems worthy. She seems like the type to help out a friend in need. Good. I am in need of as much help as I can get, which is only like one person, but good enough for now. I really think Whit and I will get far on this. If we don't, no one will be able to and Taylor will never see me as boyfriend material. Did I just say boyfriend material?! I'm embracing my feminine side more and more each day!

The bell rings and Amanda struts in late. She looks a bit disheveled and her once neat hair is out in tiny wisps. She applies a thick glob of lip gloss on before heading toward her taken seat, her eyes on me. I can't help but smirk. She's such a fake. It's obvious her hair wasn't pulled by a guy in a heated make out session. If she was trying to make me jealous, she failed because I'm still smiling, happy as ever. That girl won't sit by me, not today anyway and that is something to smile about.

Amanda's eyes squint together as she analyzes what's going on. "Um excuse me. That's my seat."

Whit looks up at Amanda and feigns innocence. Wow she's pretty good. "Oh I'm sorry."

She stays put. Amanda puts a hand on her hip. "Well?"

"Hmmm?" Whit pours all of her belongings on the desk and begins clicking her pen.

"Aren't you going to move?"

"Uhh no. Why should I?"

"Because that's my seat!"

Whit turns in her chair and examines it as well as the desk. "I don't see your name written anywhere."

"Last time I checked we weren't in Elementary school." Some oohs are heard in the background.

A grin appears on Whit's face. "You obviously seem to think so since you want this particular seat." She gets some whistles for that. "It's a fucking chair. Get over it. Because today, its mine."

"What's holding up the class?" Mr. Omen asks.

"This girl here doesn't know what get out of my chair means," Amanda growls.

Whit clears her throat. "Excuse me but this girl is new so to her it doesn't matter. Look sir, I've already put all my belongings on my desk. Will it kill her to move just one day? I mean seriously!"

"Yes it will!" Amanda shrieks.

Whit shows an apologetic expression. "I would come to the funeral but I wasn't invited."

People burst out laughing. Amanda had no chance. She was way out of her league with this one. I've seen roast, but I've never seen one cooked as nicely as that. Way to serve Whitney! I almost want to give out a high five, but would that be okay with Ms. Shorack? Was that Amanda's last name? I couldn't remember. Oh well, I honestly don't care. Mr. Omen eventually makes her move and class begins.

A note falls on my desk about five minutes after the squabble. (Psst!)

I smile while rolling my eyes. This is definitely from Whitney. I reply back with a what and tap her back to get her attention.

(So what's up with you and that chick?) She writes back.

(Long story...well you already know about the acting deal right?) I scribble quickly.

(Yeah)

(Ok then long story short, I have a crush and Amanda is blackmailing me so I can't break up with the bitch)

(Is this crush by any chance Taylor?)

I read the note over once again before looking at Whit with raised eyebrows. She's waiting for an answer.

(Possibly, possibly not) That sounds like a good answer. I write it down and pass it.

(I knew it! Ermahgerd dude, she is so into you!)

I almost snort. (Into me? You've gotta be kidding me... You're lying!)

(Bible. I'm not. Last week when we were supposed to meet up, she would not stop yapping about you! He's so horrible this! He can suck a cock that! Bret, Bret, Bret! It was all about you. I have a plan.)

(What is it?)

Whit scans around the room before she shreds the note into pieces and throws it in the trashcan.

"I hate the bitch, you hate the bitch, we all hate the bitch," she whispers. "So step 1: exterminate."

"And step 2?"

She shrugs. "There is no step 2 it just sounded professional." I chuckle. "Okay just write out the deal and we'll look for some loopholes." I write down everything the deal entails before handing the new sheet of paper to Whit. She scans over it before saying, "I got this. We'll solve this after school." She winks at me and lifts her feet on her desk again before falling asleep.