CHAPTER 4

Saturday came quicker than expected. Soon we were all at the mall. When I mean we, I mean Gabriella, April, Julienne, Jillian, May, Janel, Audrey, Selena, Taylor, Paulina and I. Yes, the big, bad girls of eastwood high followed I and Ken for shopping. Unbelievably true.

We entered the glamorous mall of New York; Glamorous mall. It's just as glamorous as it sounds, in fact I don't think there is another like it.

The girls probably haven't been to the mall cause they were totally amazed at how bright, colorful and beautiful it was. I don't blame them. We walked into color code store and started picking choice-fully making sure to blend the colors.

"April, your green eyes totally matches this green shirt." I suggested trying to help them.

"Paulina these shoes matches your caramel skin, you tan?"

"Yeah, sometimes."

"You should tan more often."

"I will." She said "And I'm taking the shoes." She took it smiling. Now that she smiles she looks a lot better.

They were all loaded which was a surprise considering the fact that always dressed a little too dark for rich kids.

After an hour of endless shopping, we all went to the food court for a late lunch.

Surprisingly, we all loved one type of burger; extra hot cheesy chili dog burger. As we ate, I lectured them on anger control.

"So no matter how tough things are or how bad they talk to you don't fight. Find a way to use their words against them. That's a way of telling them you are more matured and have an upper hand on situations. You get it?"

They all nodded in affirmation but I wasn't sure they did get it. An opportunity soon rose for me to test them.

Maddison, the richest and most famous girl in our school who was also a mean brat appeared and walked over to our booth . We, I mean, I and Maddison had some scores to settle before then and she looked angry today so she was extra grumpy.

"What do we have here?" She referred to me. "Looks like you've got company and they appear to be the nasty bullies from our school."

"Hey." Paulina said and they all stood up.      "Who're you calling nasty?"

"Oh you of course. You have a problem?"

Paulina looked angry she was ready to pounce on her but was pulled down by her friends. April whispered into her ear and Paulina smiled strangely. She turned to Maddison.

"I'm sorry I was rude to you."

Maddison was surprised but she took advantage of it.

"Much better." She turned to me." You've been quiet, what's wrong? Did I say something upsetting?" She said feigning concern.

"Look Maddison, could you please leave, we're trying to have lunch."

"Do I look like I care?"

For the first time, April spoke up.

"Look Maddison, I don't know what you want but we don't want trouble and besides you're not in a good mood right now. You want to talk about it."

"What do you mean?"

"Your attitude is extra grumpy. Are you okay?" I asked.

"Why won't I be okay. You should ask yourself that question." She growled

They looked at each other confused.

"That doesn't make any sense." Paulina spoke up. "Sorry girl but you're not making sense."

"Are you trying to insult me?" she screeched. "You definitely don't know who I am."

"Woah, chill. Relax, would you? No one is insulting you. We just want to help if we can. I mean obviously you are not in the best mood." I said.

Maddison softened. She sat beside Paulina. Tears began to fill her eyes.

"Actually, I am bitter about something."

"What is it? You can tell us, a problem shared is half solved." Janet said calmly placing her hand on her shoulder.

We smiled assuringly. She smiled back.

"I'm having problems with my school work and my dad is threatening to transfer me to a private boarding school for girls and I've heard of this place. It's horrible. It's like taking a girl who's afraid of the dark to a room with no light and locking her in it."

"That's not good." Julienne affirmed sympathetically.

"It's not, at all. I don't want to go there, but my tutor has quitted on me." She said sadly.

There was a long silence. Everyone was deliberating on a solution.

"We can help you." Paulina suggested.

"What?"

"We can help you, I'm a bit good at geometry and science myself. Janet and Julienne are also geniuses in science too. Selena, Jillian, Taylor, Audrey, May, April, Gabriella are really good in the arts. We might be bullies but we actually take school work serious. Why do you we haven't been suspended yet. Everyone just assumed that we are lazy and stupid just cause we are always looking for trouble but we are actually more than that." Paulina explained.

"I'm good in English so I can help too." I offered.

"Really you'll actually do that for me? Even after I was rude to you, you'll help me?"

"If it's a way of redeeming ourselves we'll do it. There is nothing to it." Jillian said.

"Thank you. I don't know what to say."

"Well I do. I think we just made another friend."

Paulina smiled turning to me. I returned it.