Chapter 3: Cliques

The bell was heard for recess me and Riley packed our stuffs in our bag, stood up and walked out of the library into the crowded hallway.

"Now Ashley if you want to survive NorthCrest high you have to know the basis", she said as we walked towards my locker which was also the first time I'm opening it.

"And the basis are", I dared to ask as I arranged the some books inside my locker 'i will design it tomorrow', I mentally said looking at my plain locker.

"The people of course", she said and I rolled my eyes at her response, I checked my bag and noticed my favorite Minnie pencil was missing and the only person was that annoying dude from earlier. I sighed at that and closed my locker.

"What's wrong", Riley asked.

"Nothing just looking for my pencil", I said "you may continue", I added

"Ok then... But I will be basically telling you important names in the group, we have like one hour of recess anyway so we will be quick" , she said as we began to walk than the hallway she was basically giving me a tour round the school.

"Ok lemme start with the that group over there.. that's the Acapella group...Mike and Mia Hudson..siblings, Clara Medley, Stella Thompson and Jack Hudson", she said towards a group of students, Mike and mia looked identical with there brown curly and brown eyes, Clara was a blonde and green eyes, Stella a brunette with brown eyes and Jack a raven haired with blue.

But what got my attention was that they were singing, more like harmonizing though but still they were literally singing in the middle of the hallway.

"Are they for real", I voiced my thoughts out in utter disbelief.

"You will eventually get use to it", Riley said patting my back.

We then stopped at a large door with transparent glasses.

"Moving on that's the swimming team over there, their not complete though the two blondes in their midst are Chloe Larsen and Sam Patrick, the brunette and red haired are maria Middleton and Loren Rae"

"The boys are Blake Caddel, Logan Madden and Ian Carter", she said.

"Basically not all groups I will be showing will be complete since is just that first day of school and end of summer break was just this weekend", she added

"The group over there are NorthCrest High dance crew which consist of Becky Jean, Allison Hills, Noah Elrod, Kathy Hart and Peter Zelinsky", she said towards a group of students in the hallway talking animatedly.

"Blaze Fox...schools his very good"

"Over there is the drama club", she said as we stopped at a room with a group of students arguing.

"Is it that students of NorthCrest move with their groups",

"Yes....well most of the time but is recess sweetheart ....as I was saying that's Katy Harris, she's really good with art and loves painting and she also dresses like one, Cleo Ashford, Isabella Connel...drama queen and Ethan Conner...I don't even know why his there"

"Also how do you know all there names"

"Shhhh not important"

"Don't shush me", I said with an angry pout.

"Sorry"

Stoping at a classroom and peeping inside to see a group of students who were concentrated at playing chess "that's the math group but there always playing chess whenever I meet them, the only people I know there are Ajax Benjamin and Megan Moore, probably because their dating and then they pretend to just be friends", she said doing the air quotes.

Riley then took me to computer room "that's the tech club...they deal with anything that has to do with technology for the school, you know like the school parties or those other boring stuffs. They work hand in hand with the media club"

"I also don't know their names since they have like new faces like every month", she said as we left the computer room.

"The group over there is....", she said as she trailed off.

"What's wrong", I asked noticing her facial expression as she looked at the group at the opposite side of us in the hallway.

It was a mix of pain and anger.

"That's the media group", she said in a small voice .

"You mean like the gossip group", I said with a light chuckle.

"Yeah something like that .....that's Harry Gomez...his kinda weird, Jacob Holden is dating emma, Mia Katz, Charlotte Powell and Emma Mitchell"

"Hey....new girl right", one of the girls Charlotte asked as she walked towards me making us startled for a second.

"Yeah...hi am Ashley Callie west", I said with a smile.

'Oh my gawd what am I thinking making friends is not on my to do list', I thought mentally smacking myself.

"Yeah right", she drawled "you know what..a quick warning for you new girl better stay away from her she's a boyfriend snatcher", she said as her and her friends snickered and walked away.

"What's she talking about Riley"

"Nothing important...lemme introduce you to the groups before the recess time is up", she said dragging my hand but I snatched it back.

Sighing defeatedly she looked at me "I had a cheating scandal that's why I'm currently friendless and the whole school is gossiping about me"

"With who", I said sounding confused and in disbelief.

"My ex best friend boyfriend", she said and looked at her in shock

"Please tell me your joking"

"Am not... please can we continue"

"No..not until you tell me everything", I said with folded hands. I just couldn't believe it.

"There's nothing to tell"

"But why do I have a feeling there's more to it that your hiding"

"Fine", she sighed esperatedly "It was during one of the parties this summer and I was very drunk, I don't even remember what happened at that part all I know is I woke up and bam I saw the unthinkable. Obviously I told Mia though and apologized I thought everything was fine with us and the next morning I saw a picture of us in bed circulating round the internet"

"What did you expect me to do, I cried obviously...my parents were furious and wouldn't listen to my explanation they were basically ashamed of me...which parent wouldn't when there friends and colleagues start gossiping and laughing about them. The picture was everywhere I tried talking to my best friend to ask what happened I thought we were cool", she paused as she sniffled trying to hold her tears back.

"Do you know what she replied me with ....next time I should stay in my place that no one even really liked me in the first place, that their happy am finally out of their lives that I always took the attention from them. I was utterly speechless cause I had known Mia for two years and couldn't believe all this time she pretended to like me and the most ridiculous thing is her and Luke are still together, they just made story look like I've been eyeing her boyfriend and got him drunk to sleep with him....funny enough that Luke's a manwhore but no one looks at that"

"Whats the use of telling you anyways, not like you would believe me, no one does ...everyone now sees me as a fake bestfriend and boyfriend snatcher", she said and laughed humorously, my heart broke for her.

"I believe you", I said squeezing her hand.

"Why", she asked in a broken voice. I didn't know what it is but one look at her ex friends said alot.

"I dunno...I... I just believe you", I said with shrugg making her smile and hugging me.

"That means a lot you know", she said and released me.

"Worst part is I don't even know if I am still a virgin or not", she said with a chuckle.

"Wait what", I choked out.

"Is nothing....come on remaining two more groups to go"

"No no wait what....this is not ok...you don't know....they basically raped you... you really need to file a complaint to the police",

"And tell them what I went to and underage part and got drunk...Ash am fine... really ", she said trying to reassure me but I could see right through her she was not ok.

"Fine I will let it go for now", I said and she smirked at that then dragged me down the hallways.

It was then I realized why people have been staring at us while we walked all this while I didn't pay attention to it up until now cause I thought maybe because am new but now that I was paying attention they were also staring at Riley with a look of disbelief, disappointment and disgust.

It stieee something in me....anger.

As Riley and I walked a guy stopped us I recognized him as Ethan Conner from the drama club

"New girl you shouldn't be hanging out with a girl like her"

"And your point is", I said blankly with crossed arms. I was irritated with the way they all looked at her, they judged her without even hearing her sighed of the story

"She's a....", he caught short his words as I gave him my death glare. My mum has said my glare could actually kill someone and she wasn't wrong at that.

"I will be on my way now", he said awkwardly and left.

"Wow...my personal own protector", Riley teased with a smile playing on her lips as she looked at me.

"Your so cool", she added and I shrugged.

"You were saying ..two groups"

"Oh right am sure you will know this group already, the famous cheerleading squad but instead of football is basketball our school can't play football for the life of them", she sighed with mock disappointment.

She took me to the gym which was a lot bigger than the one we did gym class at. 'so there are two gyms', I thought.

I noticed that some people where lounging around on the bleachers, some chatting animatedly, some taking pictures and some...kissing

'oh come one have some privacy people', I thought rolling my eyes.

"So the cheerleading group....Elena Gibson who is as dumb as a starfish no offense"

"None taken"

"Adriana Lee she's a fan of glitters and pink, next we have is Nicole Jones the pink haired girl, next to her is Lia Carpenter and their captain aka the fake blonde Belle Anderson and yes she's your typical spoilt rich brat"

"Wow"

"I know is a lot to take in but you like I said you will get accustomed to it... Hopefully"

"No not that, I shouldn't have come to this school...looks like it has so much drama going on", I said to which Riley just laughed at.

"And last but not the list the famous boy groups", she said towards the group of boys stretching at the other side of the gym while girls blushed

'oh my gender'

"We have Felix King..typical playboy, Nick Tyson....his a nerd..a hot one at that, Andrew Gomez....his Spanish accent is ..fire, Tommy Mickelson ...the quiet one kind of balances the group and keeps them quiet and then Luke Bennett", she said rolling her eyes at the last name.

"And there Captain", I asked.

"Huh ...I don't see him...but I saw him today today"

"Anyways there are eight people in NorthCrest High that fight for popularity or compete,there always the talk of the school, always hosting parties...they are like trendsetters more like magnets, everyone watches their every move waiting for just one slip off. They are Belle Anderson, Luke Bennett, Ian Carter, Becky Jean, Charlotte Powell and Felix King"

"But as you know every highschool has its King and Queen and that's Savannah Moss, her beauty is ethereal, she's currently not in school probably still on her summer vacation her father is the mayor of NorthCrest she's also a twin Sean Moss... quiet dude and leader of the drama and press club their both very polar opposites "

"And then finally the King's crown goes to....drumroll please", she said enthusiastically but was met with my silence.

"No..ok", she said awkwardly and did the drumroll herself.

"Ace Conell....his like so hot with those dark blue eyes and British Italian accent, everyone wants a piece of him, but of cause his the kind that hardly gives his attention and when he dies is like a blessing. His playful and flirty but surprisingly not a playboy, he respects women even those that practically throw themselves at him"

"His father is huge in the business industry and mum a retired model and his the second born and first son, his elder siblings are one of NorthCrest A list celebrities", she said all this as I just stared at her.

"What..why you looking at me like that"

"How do you know all this", I asked

"Wellllllll", she dragged "lemme tell you a little bit of myself am 18 years old already turned during the summer, 5ft3..don't mind the platform shoes, first born, favorite color is purple and I was the captain of the media group till that whole messed up scandal happened", she said the last part in a small voice.

Switching up so fast and smiling brightly at me she asked "so any questions"

"Nah am good to go home"

"Whyy", she whined and pouted "I wanted us to go out, maybe I could show you round NorthCrest"

"I have a curfew", I lied. Is not like I didn't want to like her company I was just really tired and done for the day.

"Who the hell has a curfew around two in the afternoon", she said with smirk knowing am lying.

"Fine I will let you free cause it's your first day next time am dragging you out with me even if you scream rape along the war"

"Damn your persistent", I said with a smile

"Eh should I say thank you", she and I just shook my head at that.

"I will introduce you to the rest of the student body along the way"

"Callie West", a familiar voice shouted my name from the field gaining attention from the students around.

"Is that Ace Collen...oh my gosh he knows you", she said squealing with excitement.

"Why didn't you tell me", she added smacking my shoulder.

"Cause it didn't matter", I winced as I nursed my shoulder and gave Riley a death glare who pretended to be oblivious.

We watched as Ace jogged up to us with the eyes of the whole school on us...gawd I hate attention I internally grimaced.

"What's up Callie didn't see you in the last class", Ace said with a smirk, he was aware of how much he annoyed me.

Rule#4: Never draw attention to yourself especially one that has to do with a popular hot guy.

And now here I am wishing I would be 6ft under cause why the hell is the guy talking to me

"Earth to West" Ace said snapping his fingers in front of him. He still had that goddamn awful smirk on him.

Blinking I looked at him innocently and perfected my Oscar winning acting skills "Sorry, please do I know you", I said smiling sweetly at him.

"What..", he said in utter disbelief, I mean from anyone's perspective my acting skills are on point with my facial expression down to my body language.

The students also watching us stifled there laugh at my response.

"We had two classes together"

"I dunno, I had like six classes today that I wasn't even paying attention to, so I don't think I would have remembered you", I said with a casual shrug.

Huffing and glaring at me "you forgot your pencil" he said blankly giving me my favorite peenicil back and left to join his teammates who were also laughing at him.

"Ohhh you annoyed him", Riley said.

"Who cares, I got my pencil back", I said putting my pencil inside my bag.

"Eh everyone Ash, you had an interaction with the King of NorthCrest high..

"Again with the King and Queen nonsense", I said interrupting her.

"Ok fine, but your interaction didn't go well and people saw it which means you have now became a target for them"

"What are you talking about", I said not wanting to think of what' target' means.

"You know what am talking about",

"Shit", I cursed.

"Shit indeed alright"

"But is not my fault his so annoying "

Placing her two hands on my shoulders and looking at me dead in the eye she said.

"I hope your strong soldier and you can stand up and for yourself cause students of NorthCrest high are like pack of hungry wolves that feeds on drama"

"I think"

'I am so done for', I thought gulping.