Mesmerized

a chipper voice—informing her they would arrive on Wednesday and would be staying at a nearby hotel. Lily groaned inwardly. As much as she loved her parents, her mother was a bit of a handful. She thrived on male attention. It was a little much for Lily to stomach sometimes. At least most of the students would be gone for the holiday, so she shouldn’t be too embarrassed.
    Lily looked over at Hannah. "Are your parents coming here for Thanksgiving?"
    "No, I have to go home. There are six of us so it's easier to meet at my parents."
    "Oh, I was hoping you would be here. My parents would be happy to know I made a friend."
    "I'm sorry. Believe me I'd rather stay here then go home and deal with my crazy family." Hannah fell back on her bed, grabbed her laptop, and started pecking away at the keyboard. 
    Lily looked around for something to do. She opened one of her schoolbooks, and dug into her homework. She couldn’t afford to fall behind. It was hard to keep up when she changed schools often. 
    She glanced over at Hannah. She envied her friend. Growing up, Lily had always wanted to have a brother or sister. Hannah had five and didn't seem to appreciate it. Lily wondered what it would have been like having siblings. Maybe an older sister, opposite of her mother, that she could learn from? Or maybe a younger sister Lily could be a role model for? A brother would have been neat too, a protector maybe?
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Looking in the mirror, Lily pulled her hair back with a clip. She took out her make-up and put on just enough to compliment her features. Her mother had taught her how to do it right. Not like Samantha who plastered it on. She put on her favorite earrings—dangling, moss-green jasper chips in silver. They brought out her eyes. She had made them with her mother at a new age store. Green jasper was a stone used for grounding and protection. Her mother had taught her all about stones when she was little. Some of her best memories with her mother as a child were while they made jewelry together. She didn’t know the real reason she needed to understand this stuff until she hit thirteen. Centering her necklace, she smiled. She was ready for the day. 
    It wasn’t until she went into the bathroom right before lunch that her day went downhill. On the mirror, written in bright red lipstick, was a message: Lily is a WHORE!
    Lily's jaw clenched and she could feel the anger rising. Her insides felt like they were on fire. She marched out of the bathroom on a mission to find Samantha and her posse. It didn’t take long. 
    “What is your problem?” Lily yelled in Samantha’s face.
    Samantha smiled innocently. “What are you talking about?”
    “You don’t own this school!”
    “Oh yes I do. And Jake is mine too.” She glared at Lily, one her hand on her hip.
    “Is that what this is about? I can tell you that Jake is NOT into you. That’s for sure.”
    “Just who the hell do you think you are?” Samantha pushed Lily. 
    “Really? That’s how you want to play this?” Lily pushed Samantha back. Samantha stumbled, but didn’t fall. Samantha lunged at her and grabbed a fistful of Lily’s hair. In a matter of moments, the two were rolling on the ground, scratching and hitting. 
    Students surrounded them and cheered them on. Lily felt warm hands on her upper arms, dragging her out of the fight. She looked up and saw that it was Jake. What was he doing there? She ran her hands down her skirt trying to compose herself. She couldn’t believe she had lost control like that. 
    “What’s going on?” he demanded.
    "I don't know. I lost my temper." Lily rubbed her necklace and felt the tension release from her body. "Oh God. I hope I don't get kicked out of school again."
    Jake sent her a weird look.
    Mrs. Sanders, her history teacher, walked up. The kids started to scatter. "Samantha and Lily to the principal’s office. Now!"
    Lily hung her head and glanced back at Jake. She couldn't leave this school. Even though Samantha was a pain, Hannah and Jake made her want to stay. Lily marched quietly to the office, ignoring Samantha’s death stare. 
    The principal stood up when they walked in. Lily had not seen the principal yet. She was quite attractive in a severe way. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, her face was angled, and her lips full, line with dark red lipstick. 
    "What is this I hear about a fight on school grounds?" She glanced back and forth between Samantha and Lily. "You