By Kimia

—Did you see that new girl in the cafeteria? The one with the glitterdark on her eyes? She looked so different. I mean, so… weird.

Lyr Hokansen turned her head to look at the girl who was speaking. It was Kate O’Malley, one of Chloe’s new supposed ‘friends’. Lyr sighed. She hated these girls—the only reason she hung out with them was because she didn’t want Chloe to think she was mad at her.

—Yo, Lyr? You all right?

—What? Oh. Yeah, I’m all right. Just dandy, Lyr said sarcastically. Unfortunately, everyone seemed to think that was funny and only laughed, not giving her a second glance. Lyr sighed and finally decided to try to join into the fun. Standing up, she dragged her purple sleeping bag (she’d had it since she was, oh, I dunno, five? Lyr thought, Dad should’ve gotten me a new one by now!) and settled into the circle of girls who, even though she’d joined their ranks, still paid her no attention.

Continuously they talked, never stopping unless for a drink, a giggle, or a scamper to the kitchen for some more Cheetos. How many bags have they finished off? Lyr wondered. When will Chloe realize what they’re doing? Using her for her food?

—Lyr?

—What? Huh?

Lyr turned her head, giving one of the girls the impression that she was stupid. Said girl burst out laughing and jabbed one of her friends in the ribs. Lyr, through a dim haze of embarrassment, remembered that their names were Kate and Kelly. What ordinary names, Lyr thought distastefully.

—We were saying, Chloe said, poking Lyr’s shoulder painfully, making Lyr wince. —Did you see the girl in the cafeteria? The new one?

—She’s in my social studies! giggled Kate. —She’s so… mysterious. The teacher didn’t know her name, can you imagine that, and so Ms. Gully asks ‘Can you tell us your name, dear?’ and you know what she says?

—No, what! Chloe said breathlessly, sounding and looking just like the rest of them. Lyr wrinkled her nose in disgust.

—She said, her name is Glimpse.

That got Lyr’s attention. Her head shot up, bawoinking straight into Mysty!

—Oh, sorry, Lyr apologized quickly. Mysty shot her a quick smile, then turned back to the conversation, even jumping in with her own novel idea of —Maybe she’s some weird punk kid who was expelled from her old school! Even from listening to this statement, Lyr realized she must be new to the group. Kate, who was the leader, shook her head slightly at Chloe, who nodded and leaned over to whisper something in Mysty’s ear.

Mysty’s eyes widened and the whisper was passed around the circle, and soon everyone was looking at Lyr and pointing and laughing, and Lyr felt her eyes fill up with tears. Even without knowing what Kate had said to Chloe, Lyr felt hurt—and bretrayed. —Chloe, she whispered, looking at her ‘best friend’ and blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay. —Why?

—Chloe, mocked Mysty, pointing at Chloe to make her reenactment of Lyr more dramatic and theatrical. Said Mysty in a stage whisper, —Why, Chloe, why oh why?

This made everyone laugh. Lyr got up and pushed out of the circle, leaving her sleeping bag and sleepover stuff on the floor by Chloe, who was looking up at her now with mournful eyes.

Rage surged through Lyr, and before she left, she whirled around and pointed an accusing finger at Chloe. —Oh, you’ll pay for this, she said loudly, taking care to make it sound sinister. It didn’t take that much of an effort—she was angry enough to do it without really trying. —Oh, yes you will, she repeated, you… you… What should she say that would catch their attention? Make them know she was serious? She finally decided on one word. Spitting it out furiously, she hissed, —Bitch.

Having said what she needed to say, she wheeled around and fled the room, leaving the occupants sitting on the floor, mouths agape with astonishment.