Chapter Text
Dakota — POV
One thing about moving to a new state is not knowing anyone but your neighbour (not so accurate) . High school would specifically be the worst thing ever, especially if you’re new. But lucky me, I might know someone from my new high school.
“It’s 6am Dakota, WAKE UP!” Dad yelled, trying to wake my lazy ass up. I jolted out of bed and rushed downstairs, but felt like the ground was moving and my head was spinning. Holy shit, am I sick? Once I was in the kitchen, I sat down on a chair at the counter. My head was still spinning and I was real dizzy. “Dad, can I call sick today? I’m really dizzy..” I asked. Dad would probably say no and tell me ‘You’re okay, Dakota. Just shower and drink water!’ but it didn’t help in any situation when I was sick. “It’s just your nerves, Dakota and it is the first day of school. You have to go.” Dad stated. That was even worse than shower and drink water. I rubbed my eyes, “Fine, but if I’m really sick, don’t blame me if the nurse calls you.” I remarked as I ate the pancakes Dad left on the plate. After, I got ready for school. Demin shorts,white tee and shoes, with my backpack, of course. Grab my water bottle and quickly pack my school books. Then I should be ready for this hellhole.
Dolly — POV
I was a prodigy in horseback riding. That’s why I’m considered ‘one of the best’ in equestrian events. I was good in other sports too, since I am also pretty athletic. People liked to call me an overachiever. I preferred disciplined. If I was going to do something, I wanted to be the best at it. Second place only meant you had more work to do. It didn’t hurt that I had the reputation to match.
At school, people knew my name long before they actually met me. Some knew me from horse shows. Others knew me because I was the girl who somehow managed to captain teams, ace classes, and still walk through the halls like she owned them. …Which, according to Trevor, I did. “Your ego’s showing again, Dolly.” “It’s called confidence,” I’d answer every single time. And confidence was exactly what people expected from me. I wasn’t alone, either.
There were four of us, no excluding needed. And those four were:
Chanel Hadley, Chanel was the sharp one. She noticed everything before anyone else did, and if someone started a rumor in first period, she’d already know who started it by lunch.
Candice Monroe, she looked like she stepped out of a magazine, she was the style of Rearden high school and was the trendsetter.
Paloma Lucero, the glue of the whole group. She planned parties, school festivals. And most importantly, she found the whole group.
And theres me, Dolly Harper, the athletic and strong person. The more ‘masculine’ of the group. Everyone in Rearden High School calls us “The Blondes” . It seemed pretty dramatic for a group name, but at least it was accurate.
Third Person — All
The front entrance of Rearden High buzzed with first-day energy. Lockers slammed shut. Freshmen wandered around clutching maps. Seniors laughed like they owned the place. But “The Blondes” were impossible to miss. Dolly walked through the front doors with the effortless confidence everyone expected from her. Chanel strolled beside her, scanning the hallway like she already knew this year’s gossip.
Candice waved at nearly everyone who called her name, while Paloma smiled politely at anyone who greeted the group. Heads turned. It was like a daily routine. “Looks like the new transfer’s here,” Chanel murmured, nodding toward the entrance. Dolly took once glance, then her eye twitched. “Do you mean that girl over there with the golden blonde hair?” Dolly asked. “Yeah, you know her?” Chanel responded.
“It’s that girl who tied with you every time right..” Paloma chimed in, while Candice was talking with a teacher. Dolly always despised her, Candice was a masochist to her brother, Trevor. Dolly was Trevor’s younger sister. She always wanted to do something to help Trevor but failed.
“Yup thats her.” Dolly confirmed. “She doesn’t feel too good..” Candice came over to them, overhearing the conversation as she finished talking to the teacher.
Dakota wasn’t any better, she was dizzy and had a stomach bug, it wasn’t the nerves. All Dakota thought was doing anything but vomiting. She swallowed. The fluorescent lights blurred together and students became indistinct shapes, a ringing filled her ears while at the opposite end of the hallway, “The Blondes” approached.
Candice was halfway through telling a story when Paloma noticed Dakota. Paloma tapped Candice’s shoulder, “Candice, I think you’re right..” Paloma conceded. Dakota was trying to find somewhere to vomit, anything but a person. But no, she stumbled forward straight into Dolly. Dolly glanced over, “Its probably nerves righ-“ Blegh. A wave of warm vomit splashed across the front of Dolly’s navy jacket and the floor between them, then the hallway went dead silent. Not even a pin drop could be heard. Candice stared, completely frozen,Paloma’s eyes widened and Chanel rubbed her eyes.
“What did that apple cider you drank do to you,Dakota?” Dolly asked, trying to be calm. “It did absolutely nothing, Dolly. In fact, feel free to lick it up darling.” Dakota looked at Dolly, smirking at her. “Lick.It.Up.” Dakota stated,slowly flipping Dolly with the finger.
“…You,” Dolly said quietly, almost dangerously calm, “have exactly three seconds to explain yourself.” Dakota’s smirk faltered. Not because of Dolly. Because the world suddenly tilted sideways. “I’d love to…” she mumbled. “But I think it wasn’t the nerves.” She took one shaky step backward. Then another. The middle finger she’d been holding up slowly lowered as her hand searched for something, no, anything to steady herself. Candice pointed dramatically.
“Oh my God, she’s actually dying.” “She’s not dying,” Chanel sighed, reassuring Candice. “She’s definitely about to faint, though.” Paloma had already stepped forward. “Dakota? Hey, can you hear me?” Dakota blinked slowly. “What?” “You look awful.” Paloma stated. “No shit.” Dakota responded, “I’ve looked worse” “No,” Dolly interrupted sharply. “No, you haven’t.” “You don’t know that.” Dakota countered, “I do now.” Dolly remarked. A few students snickered. Dolly shot them a glare. The laughter stopped instantly. Dakota tried to laugh herself, but it came out as a weak cough. Dakota’s knees buckled. Holy shit this is it. Before anyone could react, Dakota’s eyes rolled back and she collapsed forward.