Chapter 12
Bella-Rose POV
Weekends are thankfully days off for me. It's not because nana is following the Nation's laws or she has qualms about my extra workload. Nope. It's in the hopes that I would finally meet someone and pop my cherry (I’m totally in for it, not...for the popping, of course. But for the work-free weekend). Ya, real subtle.
Between my nana's desire to let my wings out and my family's desire (except my mom) to lock me away in a cage, I'm neck-deep in troubled waters. Katniss had it easy. This here is the survival of the fittest.
The weekend came at such a slow pace that I wanted to grab its collar and shout 'finally! Took you long enough' at it. Because it's the only time I get to sleep in; if you can call waking at 7 as sleeping in. Regrettably, I'm unable to inform my internal alarm to stop blaring warning signs after 4 am. Hence, I sleep fitfully till 7 normally and give up that losing battle.
Exercise is anathema to me. Thus, the extra pounds I lug around wishing to throw them at someone or shed them in a shredder, gosh! It would be so easy if someone invented such a shredder. To the readers-if someone did invent after reading this, remember patent rights belong to me. Unless of course, money is involved. Then we can negotiate. Going sidetrack? It happens. Happens a lot.
So, this weekend I got a message in our 'friends' group-
Amanda: Our regular spot. tonight.
As it came from Amanda, I deduced it means 'Havana Club'. It's the place where celebrities cluster. It's also the place where a drink costs hand and leg, and I'm left broken by the end of the month. Though Amanda says we should sacrifice some things for the greater good. Which here means her greater good. Anyways, it's easy to say for her as she comes from money.
You can see many high-profile athletes, including the members of Atlanta falcons most of the night at this club. And Amanda doesn't leave the chance of snatching those poor men. Well, she tries. And she became so prominent at trying that they know her by her name now. Imagine, these high-profile athletes knowing your name! Sigh.
I say 'friends' lightly because it's...complicated. Before we venture any further, allow me to introduce you to our ring leader, Amanda. She is a 5'.9'' blonde bombshell who wears pointy heels and short skirts that's inverse to her height. Have you seen 'legally blonde'? Remember the walk of Reese Witherspoon in that? That's Amanda. Although, Amanda does it way cooler. Amanda works in Aon Air Lines, Inc., We both have business degrees, but the thing is she made use of it and I put a nice little frame around it and hang it on my wall.
Let me tell you a few fun-facts (not obviously) about Amanda-
1. Amanda loves Amanda.
2. Amanda loves to lord people around. I know I'm referencing all rom-com movies with bitchy or blonde characters, but Amanda brings that out of me. Have you watched the movie 'mean girls'? Exactly! She likes to act as Queen Bee. As far as my understanding goes, she doesn't have to act to be queen B, she is already one.
3. Amanda loves boys, men... In all forms. Except when they are less than 18. She drew a line there. Thank god. I feel like she is that long-lost sister of nana in that category. Only she was found after 50 years? Doesn't make any sense? My bad.
And dear Atlanta is a hub of good-looking athletes; "Go falcons". Suffice to say, Amanda loves Atlanta.
4. Amanda loves Amanda. I know I sound like a broken tape but it's worth mentioning once again. It's THAT important.
Reading this, you must be questioning why am I hanging with her? And no, I have all my screws fixed tighter than any adhesive. The thing is, Amanda is Sophie's sister. Remember Sophie? The baby who said 'fi-’, ya that baby (You may stop laughing). So, yes, Amanda is Uncle Reynold's daughter. She was that girl in my school days who said mean things without realizing it. Example- "oh, but Bella couldn't eat that! She is already wayyy fat", she said that when we were 14.
People tend to stay away from those who say mean things to them. Me? I become friends with them. What else can I do when we are thrown together at home and school? She is not that bad. She is just...clueless (ya, another movie). She doesn't intentionally hurt. It's that her whole universe revolves around the sun called Amanda. Sometimes I pity her ignorance. But she doesn't give a fig about what you think. That's Amanda for you. Once you join her orbit, she grows on you...eventually.
The other remaining person in our 'friends' group is Sarah Jacobs. Sarah is a 5'.6'' brunette with a mediocre build sporting baby-blue eyes and who prefers jeans and t-shirts like me. She wears these cute glasses that I think look pretty on her, but she disagrees. She also has confidence issues like me. She is an artist and does cover designs on the side. In short, she is a total nerd.
Here are a few fun facts about our shy-girl, Sarah Jacobs-
1. She considers vegetables of any type her mortal enemy and searches it out with a diligence that was both frightening and awe-inspiring in her food.
2. She has a dog-eared collection of Agatha Christie and a bunch of fan fiction.
3. She is one of those people who sample the chips and put them back in a supermarket.
4. She has a crush on Scott, yes, my always-hungry, eats anything edible brother Scott. I don't know what she sees in him. Presently, I feel it's like admiring worms in some weird sort of way. To each their own, I guess. However, she doesn't do anything about it and no one else knows other than me of course.
Sarah has a flip button embedded internally in her body...just joking. But she behaves differently when our other friend Amanda is present. She is less shy and agrees to whatever bullshit Amanda throws her way. In other words, when Amanda is there, it's always about Amanda and she won't let us forget it.
Sometimes it hurts me, but who am I to question her behavior? I'm also one of the herds, so I should have no qualms about it. Sarah and I also work together on Sundays in an Old-age-home near our home in our spare time. Amanda of course is generally busy on Sundays. Therefore, we talk and connect more when it's just the two of us-Sarah and me I mean. Not Amanda and me. Gosh, that would be hilarious. Amanda talks in these fashion terms that are as understandable as the Borealis effect.
