Brielle picked up on Misty’s tone and gave her a contemptful glare as Misty turned and walked back to the group among which she’d sat before. Brielle watched as Misty sat down in her chair and noticed the threatening looks Misty was shooting her.

She also noticed Misty lean toward Rita, who also sported the ever-so-infamous short, angular, Karen-type hairstyle. She noted the side-swept bangs, real short hair in the back but long in the front. Also, the shorter hair in the back had a spiky look and the hair was high at the crown, with lots of layers.

In fact, Brielle noticed that most of the females in their clique had the same haircuts but styled it a little different. Brielle ran her fingers through her long, blonde-highlighted hair and she was glad to be different from those women.

It was funny how every person in that group was so careful to stay in lockstep. Same hairstyles, same style clothing and makeup, same attitudes, same everything, which equaled boring. They were carbon copies. No one dared to step out and be original.

Misty spoke in Rita’s ear, then pointed toward Brielle and shot her another dirty look.

“Wow! Nothing changes! ‘Still the same ignorant flake you were in high school, huh, Misty?” Brielle thought to herself.

The Evil Clique

She then turned her back to Misty, Rita, and the rest of the old clique and continued talking with the less popular crowd. And she managed to hear what Misty said next, “Wow! Did you see that! She just turned her back to us! Boy, she really thinks she’s better than us, doesn’t she!”

Brielle only ignored the remark and kept socializing.

When Brielle and Raina walked over to the boat ramp and looked across the waters of the Mississippi, Raina spoke.

“Boy, they haven’t changed much, have they?” She asked.

“Nope. But that’s their issue, not ours. They’re the ones who have to live with themselves. It just shows that they’re the insecure ones, Raina.” Brielle replied.

“Wow! I like your attitude, girl! You’ve morphed into a real tigress!” Raina gushed.

“You have to, Raina. Otherwise, people will walk all over you your whole life. We need to do some catching up, just not here. Maybe when the reunion is over, and we get back home.”

“I’m game.”

“Cool! Then, it’s a plan.” Brielle chirped as she and Raina bumped fists.

Later that afternoon, Brielle, Raina, and the less-popular classmates sat around a huge fire and roasted wieners and marshmallows. Misty, who sat with the old clique about 20 feet away with a Budweiser in her hand, called out.

Brielle’s Indifference is Obvious

“Hey, Raina, why don’t you come over and sit with us for a while?” She asked.

“Nah, I’m fine right where I am, Misty. Thanks for the invite though.” Raina replied.

Brielle gave a quick glance toward Misty and noticed her leaning toward Rita again. She also heard what Misty had to say, though her voice was faint due to distance.

“I guess she thinks she’s too good to come sit with us,” she heard Misty say.

Hearing this, Brielle gave an eyeroll.

Raina got up.

“I’m going to go see what they want,” she said.

“Raina, no!” Brielle said in a short tone as she grabbed Raina by the wrist and pulled her back down in her chair, “Why do you give a shit what those morons think?”

“Look, Brielle, I just don’t to be rude.” Raina said in a low voice.

Brielle scoffed, then gave a derisive chuckle.

Raina Hasn’t Quite Made it in the Self-Esteem Department Yet

“Rude? Honey, if you don’t want to do something, there’s no law that says you’re obligated to do it. They don’t deserve the time of day from you. And if you don’t want to sit with them, they should respect that and leave you alone.”

Finally, the clique rose from their chairs and started toward the less-popular group, dragging their chairs with them.

“Aw, hell!” Brielle mumbled under her breath while seeing them approaching. She and Raina looked at each other, then back at the approaching cliquesters.

“’Mind if we join you?” Misty asked as she and Rita sat their chairs right in front of Brielle and Raina.

“Sure,” said one of the less-pops.

Brielle scoffed and shook her head. She then quickly took hold of the second button down from the collar of her shirt and  pressed it. No one seemed to notice her doing this…