Meangirls
1190 Words
At 7 a.m., Mia's father parked the car just outside the school gates. Mia glanced at the imposing building ahead, nerves threatening to break her confidence. She took a deep breath, trying to steel herself for what was to come.
"You don't have to walk me inside, Dad," Mia said, forcing a smile.
Devin gave her an affectionate grin. "Fine, I won’t. Good luck in there."
"Thanks, Dad," she replied, leaning in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping out of the vehicle.
"Bye, sweetie."
"Bye, Dad."
Mia turned her gaze toward the massive school building once more, expelling a shaky breath. You can do this, piece of cake, she mentally encouraged herself. Shoulders squared, she made her way inside, her footsteps steady with a mix of determination and apprehension.
She headed straight to the administrator’s office, determined to get her orientation over with. Upon entering, she greeted the school’s administrator, a stern-looking woman seated behind an old oak desk.
"Good morning," Mia said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Good morning," the administrator responded. "How may I help you?"
"I’m new here and would love to get my orientation."
The administrator’s expression softened just a little. "That’s lovely. Enter the room on your left. That’s where the orientation will be held."
"Thank you," Mia replied before heading in the direction indicated. She pushed open the door to the orientation room, her heart racing. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of several girls already seated, their expressions indifferent and their eyes sharp.
"Hi, everyone," Mia ventured with a small wave.
The room fell silent. No one greeted her in return. Instead, the girls stared at her with disdain, as if she were the dirt beneath their designer shoes. Mia swallowed hard, immediately regretting her decision to come in. For a moment, she considered fleeing and returning tomorrow, but a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"You can sit beside me."
Mia looked toward the source of the voice—a girl with a warm smile who patted the seat next to her. Relieved, Mia crossed the room and sat down.
"Thank you. I was about to turn around and leave," Mia whispered, grateful for the small act of kindness.
The girl smiled again. "Ignore them. They have their extensions fixed a little too tight."
Mia chuckled nervously as the girl reached over to adjust her collar. "Your collar was out of place. Sorry," the girl said.
"No need to apologize, thanks," Mia replied, feeling the tension ease slightly.
"I’m Iris," the girl introduced herself, sticking out her hand.
"Mia," she responded, shaking it. "Nice to meet you."
They exchanged smiles, a budding friendship forming in that simple handshake.
"So, what specialty are you thinking of choosing?" Mia asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"I haven’t decided yet. I was thinking psychology, but I have a feeling I might change my mind by the end of today," Iris admitted with a shrug.
"Me too," Mia confessed. "It’s hard to choose something that feels so permanent. It needs proper thinking."
"Exactly! But I’m not sure we have much time to think," Iris said, laughing softly.
Their conversation was cut short when two girls walked over to them, their faces twisted into scowls. The aura of hostility was palpable.
"You’re the new girl, I suppose," one of the girls sneered.
Mia nodded, attempting to remain polite. "Yes, I’m Mia," she offered, extending her hand. But the two girls merely stared at it as if she had offered them something diseased.
"I don’t think shaking your hand is going to solve any problems," the second girl said icily. "You don’t belong here."
The first girl smirked. "You looked lost earlier. Maybe that was your way of knowing you don’t belong."
Mia’s lips trembled, her eyes stinging with the threat of tears. She tried to hold it together, but the cruelty in their voices hit harder than expected.
"Oh, is the poor baby going to cry?" the first girl taunted. "Should I give you a tissue?"
"Maybe you need your mommy to make you stop crying," the second one added with a wicked grin.
Before Mia could respond, Iris stood up, her eyes blazing. "Knock it off, or I’ll knock both of you out."
The first girl scoffed. "You can’t do that."
Iris took a step forward, her expression unflinching. "Can’t I? I won’t stand here and watch you bully her. Turn around and go back to your seat, or I’ll pull out your fake hair right here."
"You’ll get kicked out," the first girl warned, though her voice wavered.
"And I care because? Besides, do you think I’ll pass up the chance to beat plastic girls like you?" Iris shot back.
Mia grabbed Iris's arm gently. "Please don’t do anything that will get you kicked out."
The second mean girl snickered. "You should listen to her."
Iris shrugged her off. "I’d rather not. Get out of my sight before I make you regret it."
Realizing they were beaten, the two girls rolled their eyes and returned to their seats, murmuring under their breath.
Mia let out a long breath of relief. "Thank you."
"Don’t worry about it," Iris said with a grin. "I can’t stand girls like them, always thinking they can walk all over people."
"I hate girls like that," Mia muttered.
"I know. But next time, try standing up to them."
"I did that in high school, and it didn’t end well," Mia admitted, the memory causing her to flinch.
"I’m sorry," Iris said softly. "But you’ve got me now."
Their names were called for the orientation, and with a shared glance and a small smile, they headed off to their respective interviews.
By 4 p.m., Mia was waiting outside the school when Devin pulled up. She spotted him and couldn’t contain her excitement, bouncing on her heels.
"Dad!!" she called out, waving frantically.
Devin stepped out of the car, a wide smile on his face. "Whoa, why are you so excited?"
"I got in, and I made a new friend!" Mia gushed, practically jumping into his arms.
"Really? That’s awesome," Devin replied, hugging her tightly.
As they drove home, Mia filled him in on her day, including the confrontation with the mean girls. Devin’s protective instincts kicked in.
"Do you have the names of those mean girls?" he asked, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"Dad!" Mia laughed.
He chuckled. "Hey, it wouldn’t hurt to remind them that I’m an officer of the law and can haul their butts to jail."
Mia shook her head, smiling. "It’s okay, Dad. Iris handled it. She’s a badass."
"Sounds like someone I need to meet," Devin remarked.
"You will," Mia said confidently. "We’re going to be best friends, I can feel it."
Devin glanced at her with pride. "I believe you. You have a way of making people like you."
"Not everyone," Mia murmured, her voice growing quieter. The somber atmosphere that followed told Devin everything he needed to know, but he didn’t push it.
He simply drove his daughter home, silently wishing he could ease her pain.
- Writer
