Chapter 12

AUTHOR

Thanks for waiting, nerds! Enjoy!

**

Ginny has always been a master of luring people into her schemes with her sharp wit and quick tongue. Back in high school, she was the queen bee of snark, effortlessly outwitting teachers and classmates alike. Her wardrobe consisted of designer outfits that cost more than a small car, and the mansion she's living in could have doubled as a small hotel.

Ginny had a knack for getting her way. Whether it was convincing her parents to buy her a new sports car (because "everyone else has one, duh") or charming her way out of detention (with a clever mix of compliments and flattery), Ginny was the ultimate brat with a silver tongue.

One of her favourite pastimes was hosting lavish parties that made even Hollywood's red carpet events seem dull in comparison. Each bash had a theme more extravagant than the last, and Ginny spared no expense in making sure her guests were thoroughly entertained. One time, she hired a circus troupe to perform in their backyard, complete with acrobats, fire-breathers, and a tiger (which she assured her guests was perfectly safe).

But Ginny's sarcastic charm didn't just extend to her social life; it also got her into some hilarious situations. She once talked her way into the VIP section of a Justin Bieber concert, convincing the bouncers that she was the pop star's long-lost cousin. Of course, she wasn't, but her audacity was so impressive that they let her in.

Even when Ginny travelled, her antics didn't stop. During a trip to Paris, she pretended to be a foreign diplomat's daughter to secure a private tour of the Louvre. She walked through the museum with an air of superiority, critiquing famous paintings as if she were the world's leading art critic. At one point, she even tried to "fix" the Mona Lisa's smile with a Sharpie, claiming it needed an upgrade.

But beneath her sarcastic exterior and bratty behaviour was a kind girl who just wanted a friend. Ginny somehow managed to find a loyal friend, Natalie, who found her antics endlessly entertaining. They have been best friends since Ginny kicked Jackson Bonner on the crotch back in kindergarten after he tried to kiss Natalie. At first, Ginny just did that because she couldn't stand Jackson Bonner and how he was more popular than her. And she never regretted doing that.

Ginny and Natalie's friendship was like peanut butter and jelly—an odd combination that somehow worked perfectly. Ginny's bratty and sarcastic nature was the peanut butter, and Natalie's gentle and shy demeanour was the jelly.

After the legendary Jackson Bonner incident, Ginny's reputation as the school troublemaker was sealed. She revelled in her brattiness, always ready with a quick-witted retort for anyone who dared cross her path. Natalie, on the other hand, was the calming and shy presence, due to her humble background, in Ginny's storm of snarky personality.

One day, during recess, Ginny decided it was time to settle a score with Tommy, the class clown. Tommy had made a joke about Natalie's glasses and poor family situation, and Ginny wasn't about to let that slide. With her signature smirk, she challenged Tommy to a "who can eat the most playground dirt" contest.

 Natalie watched with a mix of amusement and concern as Ginny and Tommy each grabbed a plastic spoon from the sandbox. Ginny dove face-first into the dirt, making exaggerated "yum" noises as she scooped up spoonfuls of earth. Tommy, not one to back down from a challenge, followed suit.

As they devoured dirt like it was a gourmet meal, the other kids gathered around, cheering them on. Natalie couldn't help but shake her head, trying not to laugh. It was ridiculous, but it was also classic Ginny.

Eventually, Ginny declared herself the winner, even though it was impossible to determine who had eaten more dirt. She dusted off her hands and flashed a triumphant grin at Tommy. "Looks like you can't beat the dirt queen. Try again next time, loser," she quipped.

In first grade, during a particularly dull math class, the teacher asked if anyone knew the answer to a difficult problem on the chalkboard. Without hesitation, Ginny shot her hand up and declared, "I do, but I charge a consulting fee!" The entire class erupted in laughter, including the teacher, who couldn't help but crack a smile.

Natalie, sitting next to her, stifled her giggles. She was used to Ginny's sassiness by now and knew that her friend never missed an opportunity for a snappy comeback. They were the dynamic duo, with Natalie playing the role of the amused sidekick.

Ginny's sassiness extended to her fashion choices as well. In third grade, she showed up to the school's "Dress Like Your Favourite Historical Figure" day wearing a tiara, a feathered boa, and sunglasses. When asked who she was supposed to be, she replied with a wink, "I'm the Queen of Sassylvania, darling!"

Natalie, dressed more traditionally as Marie Curie, couldn't help but laugh at Ginny's audacity. But that was Ginny for you—always ready to put on a show and make everyone smile.

Ginny's transformation from a bratty high school queen bee to a college student was nothing short of remarkable. After years of entertaining hangers-on and wannabes, she had an epiphany that left her craving something more laid back. She was tired of the superficiality that had defined her high school years and wanted to discover another side of herself.

Gone were the designer clothes and the lavish parties. Instead, Ginny adopted a more minimalist and down-to-earth style. She traded in her high heels for comfy sneakers, and her wardrobe consisted mainly of jeans, t-shirts, and thrift store finds. Her friend Natalie was astounded to see her with a backpack instead of a designer handbag back when they started their freshman year.

Ginny also decided to focus on her studies with newfound determination. She threw herself into her classes, surprising her family and friends with her intellect and dedication. She stopped using her sharp wit to manipulate situations and instead used it to engage in thoughtful discussions and debates with her peers.

But of course, people with extravagant backgrounds like her are utterly mediocre when it comes to doing some of the simplest things. Thank God Natalie was there to save the day—but not every time.

Ginny's attempts at cooking were equally entertaining. She once mistook salt for sugar while baking cookies and produced a batch that could double as hockey pucks. Her roommates were both horrified and amused as they tried to gnaw their way through the sugary, salty monstrosities.

Her camping adventures were even more comical. Gone were the days of extravagant shopping sprees and over-the-top vacations. Ginny embraced a simpler lifestyle, opting for hikes in the woods over fancy dinners. During a camping trip with her friends, she insisted on setting up the tent, confident in her newfound wilderness skills. However, it quickly became clear that she had no idea what she was doing. The tent ended up looking more like a deflated balloon animal than a proper shelter, leading to a night spent under the stars (and a sky full of laughter).

Now, let's get to the point. What's the purpose of this matter? Well, you see, Ginny was indeed skilled at charming people, but it seemed she had finally met her match—insert Persephone Campbell—the epitome of unforeseen disaster.

"Um… I'd like you to know that I'll be working at the kissing booth at 8," Ginny murmured softly, her words carrying a hint of flirtation. "Would you consider dropping by?" Her approach was delicately suggestive, designed to avoid arousing any suspicion in Persephone's mind.

Ginny knew that she was walking into trouble right now. As she awaited Persephone's response, her heart was pounding so loudly that she half-expected it to give her away. The fairgrounds around them seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the comedic yet treacherous twist of fate that was about to unfold. It's also not helping that they're inside the prefect hut, and anyone could just walk in, halting whatever tension was surrounding them.

Persephone, with a sly grin that could melt the polar ice caps, leaned in even closer, her lips dangerously close to Ginny's ear. "Well, Ginny," she purred, "if you're offering a kiss, I suppose I can't refuse such a tempting invitation."

Ginny's eyes widened like a startled deer, and she struggled to stifle a nervous giggle that threatened to erupt. This wasn't how she had meticulously planned things in her head. She had anticipated a more subtle conversation, not a potentially steamy rendezvous playing out in front of the entire fair. She hadn't even had the chance to react when Persephone backed her into a corner, metaphorically and quite literally; her back was pinned to a wall.

As Ginny's conscience screamed at her to retreat, it felt like a red emergency light was flashing inside her mind, screaming, "Abort! Abort! Abort!" But like a soldier on a mission, she's already committed to this nonsense. She's not going to back down that easily, no matter how hard her inner voice pleads with her to bail out of this absurd situation.

With an internal monologue that was the equivalent of a panicked hamster on a wheel, she decided to play along. "How about we save that for later?" she said, her voice a bit huskier than she intended. Her outward appearance seemed calm, but on the inside, she was in full-blown panic mode. She was silently begging Persephone to just freaking agree to her suggestion, thinking, "Come on, please, just go with it! Goddamned!"

However, Persephone, who was an unstoppable force of charm and persistence, refused to yield. She leaned in even closer, her breath tantalisingly warm against Ginny's ear. "Why wait when we can seize the moment? Right here, right now," she whispered, her voice carrying an undeniable allure that made her heart race even faster. 

Ginny is a person who typically refrained from using profanity and found herself in a predicament that left her no choice but to let out an involuntary whimper of nervousness and mentally say, Oh, fuck me.

To be continued...