I fixed this up for my Creative Writing class:

Veronica checked her make up in the visor mirror in her car. After touching up her pink glitter lip gloss, she brushed her hair out of her face, and checked to make sure there was no food residue in her teeth. Satisfied, she slipped out of her car and sauntered across the parking lot to the back entrance of the school. She smiled and waved at several of her fellow classmates, and even a few people that she didn’t know but who stop and stared at her as she passed them. Veronica loved when people paid attention to her. It made her feel more important than she actually was.

As she reached the back doors of the school, she saw a bright flashing light from the corner of her eye. Turning in the direction of the light she watched as her brother disappeared where two of the buildings met. The smile that seemed fixed permanently on her face was wiped off instantly. Turning from the doors she stomped over to the alleyway where her brother and his three friends were lounging against the wall. Veronica cleared her throat and the four kids looked over at her.

“Well look who it is you guys! Its princess cunt,” Leonie sneered. Veronica ignored the remark. Leonie was the only girl in the group and hated Veronica with a passion. They were friends a long time ago, but at the start of high school they went their separate ways. Deciding to be a rule breaker, Veronica had no choice but to be hard on her in order to save her own image.

Glancing down at the cigarette in Leonie’s hand she asked, “Is this what you guys do back here? Smoke?”

“Yeah, you gonna write me up for it? Or is me breathing enough of a reason?”

I wish, Veronica thought. “No, you smoking will be enough.” Throwing the cigarette onto the ground, Leonie put it out with the toe of her boot. Veronica turned to her brother, “You know when mom finds out that you smoke she’s going to be real disappointed.”

Phil was Veronica’s twin brother but she usually told people they were cousins. She felt that she had good reason to as she stared at his unruly hair, earring, and rumpled, dirty clothing.

“Probably not as disappointed as when I brought home Dave,” Phil replied half laughing. Dave was Phil’s first boyfriend. They only stayed together for about a month, but it was the longest month of Veronica’s life. Her mother didn’t take it very well either, deciding to ignore it and pretend that the whole situation wasn’t real. Veronica scowled at the memory.

“I would be careful, Veronica. Your face might just stay that way,” Leonie teased.

“Go to homeroom before I find a reason to get you all suspended,” she snapped.

“Whatever,” Leonie muttered. As she rushed past Veronica, she made sure to bump into her hard enough to push her down. Her brother and Leonie’s boyfriend, Jeff, stepped over her, not bothering to see if she was alright. Veronica watched them go and felt her face grow red. She would probably have grass stains now. Looking up she saw Phil’s other friend, Andy, with his hand held out to her. Grabbing it he helped her off the ground.

“Thanks a lot,” she said trying to sound sincere. Veronica knew Andy because he was in almost all her classes. He was always really quiet, though, and they never really talked because she was always mean to him. She knew that he had a crush on her several times in high school, and every time he confronted her about it she was shoot him down and humiliate him in front of everyone.

“Don’t mention it. Ever,” he replied sounding angry. Walking past her, he followed his friends inside, leaving her staring after him.

***

“What the hell are you doing here,” Leonie demanded.

Eyes falling to the floor, Veronica paid close attention to her hands as she wrung them. There was no reason for her to be nervous. “I came to hang out,” she replied.

Laughter erupted from Leonie. “No really what do you want?”

Veronica’s gaze went from her hands to Leonie’s face. She glared but Leonie wasn’t frightened. “I came to see Andy. I wanted to see if he wanted to hang out this weekend.”

The glare that fired from Leonie’s eyes was much more powerful than Veronica’s. It made her want to die right there.

“Sorry, we’re busy this weekend.”

“Oh really?” Veronica perked up. “What are you guys up to? Can I come?”

The glare became permanent. “No. What’s your sudden fascination with Andy anyway? Can’t you just leave the poor kid alone? He’s been through enough humiliation brought on by you.” The door started to close, but Veronica was too fast. Her hand made a bang as it slammed against the door.

“Look, I know I haven’t been the nicest person, but this time it’s for real. I really do have feelings for Andy.”

Leonie leaned in until she was mere inches from Veronica’s face. “You and I both know that’s bull. Now why don’t you run along to the mall with your gaggle of bimbos and buy yourself a life because this charade is getting old. Also, if I ever catch you talking with Andy again I will personally kick your ass.”

With those words the door slammed shut on Veronica’s face.

***

A wave of people flooded around Veronica as she stood in the middle of the school hallway. She watched as Andy walked over to his locker and waved goodbye to his friends. Ignoring the warning Leonie gave her, she rushed over to him before he was finished putting his books away.

“Andy,” she said, catching his attention.

Looking over, Andy’s smile slipped from his face, “Oh, hey.” Turning back to his locker he continued to fix the books in his locker.

“Doing anything this weekend?”

“Uhh… I don’t think so. Why?”

Glancing over Andy’s shoulder, Veronica saw Leonie leaning against her locker glaring in their direction. A smirk spread on Veronica’s face. “You want to hang out?”
He stopped, shocked at the question. “Very funny Veronica, why don’t you go bother someone else?” Closing his locker, Andy turned to leave. Veronica’s hand shot out and she grabbed his shoulder.

“I don’t want to bother someone else.” Andy turned and stared at her bewildered. “There’s something about you that I find interesting. I want to know what it is.”

Looking over at his friends, Andy hesitated, “I don’t know.”

“Don’t pay attention to them. Just trust me. This isn’t a trick.”

Staring at her for several minutes, Veronica could see his reasoning through his eyes. She held her breath until Andy said, “Okay, you get one chance, but if this turns out to be a trick you do know Leonie will kill you.”

A smile broke out on Veronica’s face, “Of course!” Flinging her arms around his neck, she embraced him, not caring who saw.

-Casey